On 6 may 1983, various aspects of the law relating to driving while under the influence of alcohol were amended. This report studies the underlying trends in casualties from alcohol-related accidents between 1979 and 1984, and estimates the effect of the new legislation on the number of casualties. It is found that in non-built-up areas, the legislation has led to casualty reductions of 5-12 per cent among car occupants injured at the times of day when drink/driving is chiefly a problem. No such benefits have been found in built-up areas, and indeed the number of front seat passengers injured in these areas appears to have risen. The number of motor cyclists killed or seriously injured has fallen significantly, but the number of pedestrian casualties has been unaffected by the legislation. (Author/publisher)
Abstract