Combining these results with data indicating that the number of drivers over age 16 in the United States in 1998 was estimated to be over 166,000,000, suggests that, in an average one year period the number who have driven after consuming alcohol ranges from 28,000,000 to 45,000,000. Of this group, between 1,500,000 to 4,000,000 have driven after consuming enough alcohol to be impaired at the .08 level. An additional 1,500,000 to 14,000,000 consumed enough to produce at least some impairment in driving ability. Crash data indicate that young drivers involved in alcohol-related crashes are likely to have lower BACs than are older drivers. At similar BAC levels, young drivers are at higher risk of being involved in crashes than are older adults.
Research also indicates that youth who drink and drive tend to be riskier drivers in general.
Motorcycle drivers tend to be at greater risk of being involved in an alcohol involved crash, compared to drivers of other vehicles. Although no research has specifically examined drinking and driving by young motorcycle operators, youth who operate motorcycles and drink may have an even greater risk of being involved in an alcohol-related crash, in part because their operating abilities are impaired at significantly lower BACs. Research on detecting DUI motorcycle drivers has identified 14 behavioral cues identified as good or excellent predictors that a motorcycle driver is operating under the influence of alcohol. One study of the .08 BAC limit has examined a set of driving and post-stop cues which are associated with driver impairment at BAC levels below .10. The research also indicates that youth drinking tends to occur in private settings, especially in vehicles and locations outside of the home, increasing the chances that youth will drive after drinking.