Random breathtesting (RBT) was introduced in Western Australia on October 1, 1988 for a trial period of 18 months. The legislation specified that the first year of RBT was to be evaluated by the Traffic Board. A brief review of the experience elsewhere in Australia and overseas with RBT provided the background to the introduction of RBT in Western Australia, and illustrates the importance of the level of enforcement and publicity in determining the effectiveness of RBT. A number of factors were identified as being especially likely to affect the drawing of valid conclusions during the evaluation study. Community surveys of Western Australian drivers were conducted just before the introduction of RBT, six and ten months after its introduction. Response rates of 60%, 67% and 70% respectively were obtained. The key findings of these three surveys are discussed. (A)
Abstract