The report reviews surveys of drinking and driving patterns in australia. There is also considerable conjectural discussion on how drinking and driving is a problem. These studies have shown that the vast majority of australians drink and many often consume a large dose of alcohol. Although there is a relationship between alcohol and accidents it is not a very clear one. It is suggested that the heavy drinker, often with a previous antisocial record, is the problem. It is suggested that methods of dealing with drinking and driving will depend on social attitudes towards the problem. This varies from country to country. In australia it has been regarded as permissive but the author suggests this only applies to some situations. Attitudes to and the effect of the new legal limit of alcohol (0.08gm%) are described. 18% said that this test had changed their drinking and driving habits. This effect is compared with the effect of the british breathalyser regulations of 1967. The report concludes that the imposition of legislative controls has not had as much effect on behaviour, attitudes and accident rates as might have been hoped; and further sociological research is required. This paper was presented at the national road safety symposium, canberra, 14-16 march, 1972.
Abstract