Changing Demographics and Drunk Driving in Rural Counties

• In Event: Race and Perceptions of Race: Implications for Crime and Victimization

Abstract

Convictions for drunk driving are examined for the years 2000-2009 in Iowa counties. High rates of drunk driving are noted in a subset of rural counties with the following characteristics: industrial expansion in the last ten years; a high proportion of racial and ethnic minorities; high rates of factors related to social disorganization and cultural assimilation. The data are compared after being sorted into three categories: urban, rural, and rural-industrial. Cultural assimilation and minority threat interpretations of the findings are discussed.

Authors

• B. Keith Crew, University of Northern Iowa

• Ronald Joe Gorton, University of Northern Iowa