While drink driving is declining continuously in many European countries it is still a significant factor in traffic safety. All functions important for the safe operation of a vehicle can be affected by levels of alcohol well below current legal limits in EU countries. The risk of accidents rises substantially for all drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.70 promille and above, and for young drivers at 0.20 promille and above. Public attitudes in Europe were sympathetic to the introduction of further countermeasures to drink driving. Drink drivers were generally male. Suggestions include a lower legal blood alcohol limit for young drivers (successful in Austria and some USA states), publicity campaigns, increased breath testing, disqualification from driving, offender driver retraining, education, in-vehicle devices to preclude drink driving, and better location of and public transport to premises serving alcohol.
Abstract