The results of blood alcohol tests obtained from Coroners in England and Procurators Fiscal in Scotland between 1985 and 1989 have been analysed to describe the size and nature of the problem of drinking pedestrians in Great Britain. Records which link these blood alcohol concentrations to accident details obtained from the police are available for around 3300 pedestrian fatalities over this five year period; of this total, approximately 30 per cent of cases had a blood alcohol concentration exceeding 80mg/100ml, 16 per cent exceeding 200mg/100ml, and 5 per cent exceeding 300mg/100ml. The analysis explores the time and place of accidents and their general circumstances, and the sex, age and occupation group of those killed. Those most commonly involved in fatal accidents following drinking are identified. The problem of heavy drinking is particularly severe among middle aged males drawn from the lower social classes; however fatal accident rates among young adults following drinking were also significant. Regional variations in Great Britain are also outlined. Trends are presented which indicate that the number of drinking pedestrian fatalities is not reducing with the passage of time. In view of the fact that significant reductions in drink/driving fatalities have proved to be possible in Great Britain (a 50 per cent reduction over ten years), it is recommended that the possibility of increasing publicity or other measures designed to improve safety among drinking pedestrians should be explored. (A)
Samenvatting