The report investigates the detrimental influence of alcohol on prompt braking and stopping action and sets out, using this aspect of driving behaviour, to close the gap between the two approaches to research: epidemiology, and experimenting, describing and clarifying. From this the part played by alcohol in road accidents can be proved. Braking and reaction times are compared from laboratory experiments and experiments using measuring vehicles. Significant increases were shown in both. Similarly, good agreement was obtained with measurements of braking behaviour under the influence of alcohol from both research methods; the "natural" on-the-road-stopping-behaviour and the simulated overtaking experiments. From these results one can reasonably assume that high concentration of alcohol in the blood causes the time from the start of a braking action to be delayed. Likewise the control of the use and regulation of the brakes is reduced.
Abstract