Inequalities in alcohol consumption and cell phone use while driving motor vehicles

Desigualdades en el consumo de alcohol y uso del teléfono celular durante la conducción de vehículos motorizados

ABSTRACT

Objective:  To evaluate social inequalities of Brazilians in alcohol consumption and cell phone use while driving motor vehicles.

Methods:  Cross-sectional study conducted with people who drive (n=23,474) in 2019. The outcomes adopted were cell phone use and alcohol consumption while driving, associated with the variables gender, age group, skin color, education and macro-region of housing and analyzed using the slope index of inequality using logistic regression.

Results:  The inequalities related to alcohol consumption and driving were identified in adults with brown skin color (7.8) linked to the North region (6.8). As for cell phone use while driving, they were higher for the younger age group (19.4) and individuals with higher education (27.1).

Conclusion:  Cell phone use and alcohol consumption while driving motor vehicles have social inequalities regarding the age group and education, and skin color and macro-region respectively.

Keywords:
Socioeconomic factors; Ethnic inequality; Distracted driving; Driving under the influence; Cell phone; Alcohol drinking