The aim of the present study was to further our understanding of the cognitions and motives underlying decision making in drunk driving. Oriented to the theory of planned behaviour and the model of alcohol-myopia, aspects of the decision making process were investigated. 185 drivers who have been officially registered by the police for drunk driving were compared to a group of 145 drivers who have never been detected for drunk driving. Each subject was asked to imagine a standard scenario with low (BAC <0.5 %) and one with high alcohol consumption (BAC> 1.1 %) Descriptive analysis shows that a decision process takes place, that the number of both, inhibiting and impelling beliefs is reduced under the condition of high alcohol consumption, and that there is a lack of inhibiting beliefs in the group of detected drivers. These drivers show a strong and significant tendency to neglect social norms and to lower the perceived risks of detection and accident.
Abstract