The incidence of alcohol intoxication among road traffic accident victims attending the Accident and Emergency Department of the John Radcliffe Hospital Oxford between January 1988 and December 1989 has been recorded. Data relating to vehicle occupants, motorcyclists and pedestrians aged between 17 and 70 who attended the hospital within eight hours of their accident have been examined. Overall, 59 per cent of patients in the target group were breathalysed by medical staff, over half of these within two hours of the time of their accident. Evidence of recent drinking, 84 per cent of which was among males, was most commonly observed on weekend evenings and nights between 10 pm and 2 am. Overall 14 per cent of all road traffic accidents patients were known to have been drinking, 9 per cent being over the legal limit for driving (35 microg/100 ml BrAC). The corresponding proportions of those requiring hospital admission were 20 and 15 per cent respectively. Among drivers and motorcyclists the proportions over the legal limit were 6 and 8 per cent respectively. However pedestrians were the group of road users with the largest proportion with a breath alcohol in excess of 35 microg/100 ml (27 per cent), and also the highest admission rate to hospital. The age distribution of those injured, and those who had been drinking are given for the various road user groups. Home interviews were subsequently carried out on a sample of patients. Results are presented in relation to their social background and drinking habits. Although differences were observed between the various road user groups, overall a significant proportion of those who had been drinking quoted beer, cider and lager as being their principal drink, and indicated that they drank most heavily in public houses. Among car drivers, over half were single, separated or divorced, while skilled manual workers and professionals were over-represented. (A)
Abstract