Safety and Injury

Drinking and driving

A large proportion of automobile crashes involve the use of alcohol. Considerable attention has been given to this problem over the past several years. There has been little change in Texas regarding drinking and driving since 2002 with 3.3 percent of the population indicating that they had consumed alcohol and driven in the past month for the period 2004-2005. Conversely, in Bexar County, 3.7 percent reported drinking and driving in the period 2004-2005; a decrease from the 7 percent rate reported in 2002. Although progress has been made with this dilemma, it is important that efforts continue in discouraging this destructive behavior. The Healthy People 2010 recommends the extension of Administrative License Revocation (ALR) laws or similar programs for persons who drive under the influence of alcohol to all states and the District of Columbia. The law allows administrative license suspension apart from the judicial system. In Texas an ALR program became effective in 1995.³¹ Under the Texas program the license of a person will be suspended if arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI). Additionally drivers who refuse to submit to chemical tests or provide a specimen with a BAC over 0.08 percent will have their license suspended. Intoxicated drivers with blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) over 0.08 percent represent the largest portion of persons involved in fatal automobile crashes.³² Healthy People 2010 also recommend the extension of legal requirements for maximum BAC levels of 0.08 percent in drivers aged 21 years and older in all states and the District of Columbia. The latter target was achieved in 2004.

Swimming and water safety classes

Every year children and adults drown in area swimming pools and lakes. It is important that children learn how to safely enjoy swimming, water sports, and play. Data were not collected in the 2004 or 2005 BRFSS regarding whether children had received swimming lessons, but this is an import safety measure. In 2002 more than 42 percent of parents living in Bexar County reported that their child had participated in swimming or water safety classes.³³ The North Central sector far surpassed the county reporting the largest percentage of children having had water swim and water safety classes. Seventy-four percent of children living in the North Central sector have had child swim classes. The Northwest followed far behind with 47 percent. The Northeast and West sectors responded 42 and 35 percent respectively. Children in the East and South sectors were the least likely to have attended child swim and safety instruction.

Smoke detectors in homes

Smoke detectors are an inexpensive safeguard against fire and the possibility of getting caught in a burning building. The Healthy People 2010 goal is that 100 percent of homes will have smoke detectors. The 2004 or 2005 BRFSS did not collect information about the percent of homes with smoke detectors, but this remains an import safety concern. In 2002, 85 percent of homes in Bexar County reported having smoke detectors. This indicator has not improved since 1998. Residents of the Northern part of the county were more likely than the rest of the county to have smoke detectors in their homes. The North Central, Northeast and Northwest responded with 95, 90, and 88 percent respectively, saying they have smoke detectors in their homes. The South, East, and West sectors trailed behind with 76, 74, and 75 respectively. Homes in the southern sectors are generally older and can be more venerable to fire hazards. In addition, the per capita income is lower in these areas, which would make it difficult to recover from fire damage.