This paper discusses the Swedish approach to rehabilitation of drunk drivers, using licence revocation in conjunction with long-term medical control, and discusses recent experience of this approach. Since a change of Swedish law in 1991, a drunk driver must fulfil more detailed requirements to obtain a licence or have it regranted. The programme comprises: (1) qualified repeated assessment by a senior psychiatrist; (2) regular laboratory check-ups of liver enzymes; (3) counselling and an open discussion with the driver; (4) control of clinical and traffic records. At a suitable stage, an approval for a licence is issued, and a control period is recommended. The results of two analyses of ten years' traffic records, conducted in 1987 and 1989, are summarised. In January 1991, a special clinic was set up for drunk drivers and all certificate issues. Driving licence revocation seems to be the most effective sanction for drunk drivers; in Sweden, the driver is motivated to change drinking habits, in exchange for a medical certificate approving a new licence. Long-term repeated investigations help to change life habits and control driving behaviour in recidivists. Measurements and monitoring laboratory tests are also necessary.
Abstract