This paper describes trends in drinking and driving in Great Britain and summarises the results from a number of recent studies carried out at TRRL in which breath alcohol concentrations were measured. Initially an investigation of road accidents, in which questionnaires were completed for 1043 drivers/riders, is discussed. Subsequently results of a study of 1956 hospital Accident and Emergency (A and E) patients injured in road accidents are presented. Finally the results of the last of a series of roadside surveys involving approximately nineteen thousand car drivers are reviewed. The conclusions drawn consider the background of the respondents and their general drinking and driving behaviour. Research now being initiated will assess the effectiveness of procedures developed for treatment of drink/drive offenders, and investigate further the characteristics and behaviour of those driving with blood alcohol levels below the legal limit. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference, see IRRD 840727.
Abstract