On 1 March 1998 the Danish per se limit was lowered from 0.08% to 0.05% BAC (blood alcohol content) for drivers of motorised vehicles. Based on accident data and drivers' drinking habits before and after the change, the effect of the new limit has been evaluated, knowing that a 10-month period is too short a time for making sufficient estimations. Questions on drivers' attitudes to DUI (driving under the influence) showed remarkable decreases in the number of drinks, which they allow themselves to drink during the last two hours before driving. In total, the proportion of drivers who would not drink at all or drink only one drink increased from 71% before the change to 80% after the change. The answer most often given of those who had changed their drinking habits seemed to be related to the lower limit. However, the change in drinking habits has not resulted in a marked decrease in either the proportion of injury accidents or the proportion of DUI injury accidents with drivers of motor vehicles.
Samenvatting