Spatial relationships between alcohol-related road crashes and retail alcohol availability. (1st May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Morrison, Christopher; Ponicki, William R.; Gruenewald, Paul J.; Wiebe, Douglas J.; Smith, Karen
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 162(2016)
• Page Start: 241
• Page End: 244
• Publication Date: 2016-05-01
• Subjects: Alcohol -- Outlet -- Density -- Motor vehicle -- Crash -- Spatial; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.02.033
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Highlights: Spatial relationships with crashes differ for bars and off-premise outlets. Motor vehicle crashes are positively related to bar density in adjacent areas. Spatial analyses must consider origins and destinations of alcohol-affected journeys. Abstract: Background: This study examines spatial relationships between alcohol outlet density and the incidence of alcohol-related crashes. The few prior studies conducted in this area used relatively large spatial units; here we use highly resolved units from Melbourne, Australia (Statistical Area level 1 [SA1] units: mean land area = 0.5 km 2 ; SD = 2.2 km 2 ), in order to assess different micro-scale spatial relationships for on- and off-premise outlets. Methods: Bayesian conditional autoregressive Poisson models were used to assess cross-sectional relationships of three-year counts of alcohol-related crashes (2010–2012) attended by Ambulance Victoria paramedics to densities of bars, restaurants, and off-premise outlets controlling for other land use, demographic and roadway characteristics. Results: Alcohol-related crashes were not related to bar density within local SA1 units, but were positively related to bar density in adjacent SA1 units. Alcohol-related crashes were negatively related to off-premise outlet density in local SA1 units. Conclusions: Examined in one metropolitan area using small spatial units, bar density is related to greater crash risk in surrounding areas. Observed negative relationships for off-premise outlets may be because the origins and destinations of alcohol-affected journeys are in distal locations relative to outlets.