Although for many years, no contemporary information was available in Britain which described patterns of drink/driving, the situation is now much improved. Following a successful exploratory study in 1988, a revised experimental method involving roadside breath testing was developed in pilot surveys carried out in 1989. Subsequently, over a six month period in 1990, this technique has been employed to expand knowledge in ten discrete areas in England and Wales. The surveys were carried out between 7 pm and 2 am at weekends. Respondents, who were randomly chosen, were asked to give a sample of breath in order to establish their breath alcohol concentration, and to reply to a questionnaire. In general, for those who had not been drinking significantly, only a brief interview was employed; additional information was obtained using (reply-paid) self completion questionnaires. Where higher breath test levels were observed, an extended questionnaire was used. The surveys were carried out without adverse incident, and were well received by the driving public; approximately thirteen and a half thousand drivers were breath tested, refusal rates being approximately 0.8 per cent; 3.2 per cent of drivers were found to be over half the legal limit, and 1.0 per cent over the legallimit. The social background of drinking drivers is summarised in the report. (A)
Abstract