Driver casualties in Victoria (1978‐1980): Predominant influences of driver inexperience and alcohol

Abstract

The driving experience and blood alcohol profiles of motor vehicle driver casualties in Victoria for the period 1978-1980 were examined. Drivers with less than five years' experience were markedly over-represented among the casualties. There was a progressive and marked decline in the number of driver casualties between each of the first five years of driving experience. First-year probationary drivers had three times the casualty involvement of drivers with five years' experience. Probationary licensed drivers, who hold approximately 13% of licenses, accounted for 28% of driver casualties. Blood alcohol levels in excess of the legal limit of 11 mmol/L (0.05 g/100 mL) were more frequent in probationary drivers than in fully licensed drivers (30.4%, compared with 24.4% in fully licensed drivers). These findings, in conjunction with the known impairment of driving skills caused even by blood alcohol levels lower than the legal limit, lead us to recommend that legislation should be enacted making it an offence for probationary license holders to drive a motor vehicle after the ingestion of alcohol. In addition, educational programmes about high-risk accident situations and the alcohol problem on the road should be instituted as an integral part of training before a driving license is issued.