# Pre- to Post-Immigration Drinking and Driving among Recent Latino Immigrants: Examining Opportunities for Intervention

> **NIH NIH R01** · PACIFIC INSTITUTE FOR RES AND EVALUATION · 2020 · $520,279

## Abstract

Abstract
 It has been posited that recent Latino immigrants may be at higher risk for involvement with driving while
impaired (DWI) due to a failure of fully understanding the risks associated with DWI as a result of cultural norms
from their countries of origin, including lax enforcement of DWI laws. Yet, the literature shows that, in general,
Latino immigrants are less likely to drive while impaired than their U.S.-born counterparts, albeit DWI rates vary
sharply by country of origin. Beyond these broad results, there is a scarcity of knowledge regarding the drinking
and driving trajectories of recent Latino immigrants. A preliminary study conducted by this research team
examined drinking and driving behaviors in a sample of Latino immigrants in Miami-Dade County, FL,
approximately 7 years after immigration. Results indicated that compared to the most established immigrants in
the sample (permanent residents), undocumented immigrants were less likely to understand DWI laws, more
likely to binge drink, and less likely to perceive the associated risks. Despite such elevated risk factors,
undocumented immigrants were less likely to be involved in DWI events than permanent residents, in part
because of their desire to stay undetected by law officers, but largely because of their limited access to cars.
Interestingly, our preliminary study found that riding with an impaired driver (RWID) was a rather prevalent risk
even upon arrival. Given that it is not hindered by driving limitations, RWID constitutes a more immediate (and
overlooked) risk for immigrants than DWI. Thus, our preliminary work suggests a picture in which Latino
immigrants, despite some contributing risk factors, do not drive while impaired immediately after arriving to the
country, but such behavior increases over time. Such a transition period offers an opportunity for early
intervention to deter not only DWI but also RWID, as these behaviors are to some extent related. This application
will begin examining this opportunity.
 The proposed study will take advantage of the lessons learned from our cross-sectional exploratory study to
provide a detailed examination of the DWI/RWID phenomena among recent Latino immigrants as they evolve
from pre-immigration through their first 3 years in the United States. These initial years have been identified as a
period of significant change and stress for immigrants that can determine future DWI/RWID outcomes. The
ultimate goal of the study is to acquire a detailed understanding of the environmental, demographic, and
sociocultural factors influencing the early adoption of DWI/RWID trajectories. This knowledge will be used to
inform culturally relevant intervention strategies for preventing DWI/RWID in the target population.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9889866
- **Project number:** 5R01AA025720-03
- **Recipient organization:** PACIFIC INSTITUTE FOR RES AND EVALUATION
- **Principal Investigator:** EDUARDO O ROMANO
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $520,279
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-03-01 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9889866

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9889866, Pre- to Post-Immigration Drinking and Driving among Recent Latino Immigrants: Examining Opportunities for Intervention (5R01AA025720-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9889866. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*