Following the introduction of a legal BAC limit of 0.5 per cent per thousand in the Netherlands the long term effects have been studied on the basis of results of roadside surveys and accident data. During the first year after the introduction the effects were substantical. A small residual effect was found after four years. Possible explanations for these findings will be given. Suggestions for additional countermeasures have come from authorities in this field. The chances of implementation and the potential effect of these countermeasures will be discussed.Special attention will be paid to the use of breath testing devices for improved detection of drivers with illegal BAC values.
Abstract