This paper examines the usual drinking behaviour reported by male drivers of cars, vans and motorcycles, involved in crashes, who reported consuming alcohol during the month they were taken to a major trauma hospital in South Australia (see previous abstract). Detailed information was obtained from each driver interviewed, about his levels of drinking during the previous month. Those with a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) were significantly more likely than those with zero BAC to report a higher frequency of alcohol consumption and more frequent drunkenness. About a third of those in each of the three positive BAC groups reported that they drank more than four days a week on average, compared with about a sixth of those with zero BAC. Table 1 gives self-reported quantity of alcohol most often consumed in the preceding month by BAC. Tables 2 to 4 give the percentages reporting at least occasional drinking by BAC, for specified locations, company and reasons, respectively. About a fifth of those with BAC at least 150mg/100ml felt that they had a current drinking problem. Only a few with lower levels seemed to be alcohol-dependent. In each BAC group, people most often drank to be sociable or to celebrate.
Abstract