Individual and social-environmental factors among young drivers informing decisions to ride with an impaired driver and drive impaired: A sequential mixed methods assessment

Notable misperceptions exist about how alcohol/drugs impact driving in the RWI/DWI context, particularly regarding the subtle signs of impairment. Youth commonly relied on their own assessment of impairment before driving themselves or riding with a potentially impaired driver, sometimes to avoid parental disapproval. Some engage in RWI/DWI to avoid discord with parents. DWI may relate to needing easy/immediate vehicle access. Pragmatic remedy considerations could include educating youth and young drivers about impairment, enhancing safe public transportation, and expanding ride-share programing.