Road traffic deaths caused by at-fault drivers and drinking-driving in China: A spatiotemporal analysis of the 2017–2020 period

In China, the role that alcohol plays in road traffic deaths (RTDs) is poorly understood. In this study, RTD rates caused by at-fault drivers and drinking-driving by cases per 100,000 people were calculated at the city and provincial levels in China during 2017–2020. Spatial lag modeling was applied to measure the influence of drinking-driving RTD rates on at-fault RTD rates. In addition, the influence of seven geographic regions, six city tiers, three ethnicities, and six socioeconomic factors on drinking-driving and at-fault RTD rates was assessed. Drinking-driving RTD rates were positively associated with at-fault RTD rates. GDP per capita was negatively associated with drinking-driving RTD rates, but unemployment rates were positively associated. This study highlights the influence of drinking-driving on overall at-fault behavior. The reinforcement of traffic regulations against drinking-driving and general awareness could reduce RTD rates.