In the period from 1975 to 1990 there can be seen a favourable and continuous drop of alcohol related road accidents in Germany. This relatively favourable development among alcohol-related accidents is accompanied by a slight drop in alcohol consumption: 11.8 l pure alcohol per capita was consumed in 1990-compared to 1980, a decrease of 10%. In addition, a steady increase in soft drinks was found: from 405.2 l in 1980 to 513.0 l in 1990, i.e. an increase by 26.6% [Kretschmer-Baumel, 1993]. In the years after the unification from 1991 to 1993 in the New Lander the road accident development in general and especially concerning alcohol related accidents impaired. The figures for 1994 and 1995 show a stabilisation and slight improvement of the road accident development in the New Lander and especially with respect to related injuries (- 7 per cent) and fatalities (- 5 per cent). But still to the year 1995 the share of alcohol related injuries (14 versus 9 per cent) and fatalities (20 versus 17 per cent) is higher in the New Lander than in the former FRG. The figures for 1998 and 1997 show a further decrease of alcohol-related accidents and injuries especially in East Germany. This may be the result of the reduced legal BAC-limit of 50 mg/100 ml since May 1998. Still the share of alcohol-related accidents and injuries in East Germany is higher than in West Germany (9 per cent versus 7 per cent).
Samenvatting