In this study the authors were interested in the percentage of road traffic offences (RTO) and road traffic accidents (RTA) involving inebriated drivers one year before and one year after the passing of the new Law on Road 1raffic Safety (LRTS) as welt as measures (referrals, punishments and final decisions on the revoking of driver's licenses due to drunk driving). One year before the passing of the new LRTS, there were 40,702 RTAs in the Republic of Slovenia (12.2% caused by drunk drivers). The average alcohol concentration in exhaled air for those analysed was 1.19 g/kg. One year after the passing of this law there were 36,479 RTAs (8.6% caused by drunk drivers). The average alcohol concentration in exhaled air for those analysed was 1,32 g/kg (the differences were statistically significant). In 13.8% cases the reason for performing a measurement of the alcohol concentration in exhaled air was an RTA with an average alcohol concentration in exhaled air of 1.22 g/kg and in 86.2% of cases an RTO with an average alcohol concentration in exhaled air of 1.25 g/kg (the differences were statistically significant). The authors found it interesting that the number of events involving lower concentrations decreased, but the percentage involving higher alcohol concentrations even increased. The results of this study indicate without a doubt that the law was not successful enough with its repressive and preventative measures in the field of drunk drivers. Experts on alcohol believe that punishment cannot make alcoholics and other drivers abandon their behavioural patterns and stop driving under the influence of alcohol. This can be achieved only by treatment, and the present practice (police - misdemeanour counts - repeat general medical check-up) has been ineffective as prevention among alcoholic drivers. The authors therefore believe that supplements to the LRTS should be adopted urgently, that would contribute, through better medical selection, to a reduction in the number of drunk drivers behind the wheel, both those who are alcohol dependent (and should be referred to treatment). (A)
Samenvatting