In Brazil, a new law introduced in 2008 has lowered the blood alcohol concentration limit for drivers from 0.06 to 0.02, but the effectiveness in reducing traffic accidents remains uncertain. This study evaluated the effects of this enactment on road traffic fatalities and injuries. A time series analysis was done, using ARIMA modelling. Setting was the state and capital of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Data on injuries and deaths caused by road traffic accidents in both regions were collected from January 2001 to June 2010, comprising a total of 1,417,087 injuries and 51,561 fatalities. Findings: The new traffic law was responsible for significant reductions in traffic injuries and fatalities rates in both localities (P < 0.05). A stronger effect was observed for traffic fatalities (-7.2 and -16.0% in the average monthly rate in the State and capital, respectively) compared to traffic injuries rates (-1.8 and -2.3% in the State and capital, respectively). Lowering the blood alcohol concentration limit in Brazil had a greater impact on traffic fatalities than injuries, with a higher effect in the capital where presumably the police enforcement was enhanced. (Author/publisher)
Abstract