At the end of 1990 and the beginning of 1991 the Amsterdam police conducted an alcohol campaign in the Dutch city of Amsterdam. The campaign, which lasted for three weeks, consisted of an intensive police surveillance combined with publicity. In the period before and after the campaign, respectively 985 and 927 arbitrary car drivers were tested for alcohol use during week-end nights. Blood alcohol content, age and sex of the drivers were collected and recorded. On the basis of these data collected by the police, the SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research investigated the effects of the campaign on alcohol use by car drivers in the city of Amsterdam. The most important results of the study were: (1) The campaign seemed to have had no significant effect on the alcohol use by car drivers; (2) Alcohol use by car drivers in Amsterdam appeared to be at a relatively high level; (3) Male drivers of 25 years of age and older were found to be the most problematic age group; (4) A greater number of offenders were found on Friday night than on Saturday night. The SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research recommends to increase the police supervision on alcohol use by car drivers.
Abstract