Abstract
BackgroundWorldwide, alcohol-related road traffic accidents represent a major avoidable health risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of self-estimating the degree of acute alcohol intoxication regarding the legal driving limit, and to identify risk factors for misjudgement.MethodsIn this prospective randomised controlled crossover trial, 90 social drinkers (mean age 23.9 ± 3.5 years, 50% female) consumed either beer or wine. Study group subjects were made aware when exceeding the legal driving limit (BrAC = 0.05%). Controls received no information about their BrAC. For crossover, beer or wine were consumed in the opposite order.Results39–53% of all participants exceeded the legal driving limit whilst under the impression to be still permitted to drive. Self-estimation was significantly more accurate on study day 2 (p = 0.009). Increasing BrAC positively correlated with self-estimation inaccuracy, which was reproducible during crossover. Multiple regression analysis revealed fast drinking and higher alcohol levels as independent risk factors for inaccurate self-estimation.ConclusionsSocial drinkers are commonly unaware of exceeding the legal driving limit when consuming alcohol. Self-estimating alcohol intoxication can be improved through awareness. Dedicated awareness programs, social media campaigns and government advice communications should be utilised to address this avoidable hazard.Trial registration The trial was registered prospectively at the Witten/Herdecke University Ethics Committee (trial registration number 140/2016 on 04/11/2016) and at the DRKS—German Clinical Trials Register (trial registration number DRKS00015285 on 08/22/2018—Retrospectively registered). Trial protocol can be accessed online.
Highlights
Worldwide, alcohol consumption and drunk driving constitute significant avoidable health risks and economic burdens despite decades of health promotion activities [1, 2]
To put our findings in a global perspective, we investigated the association of legal blood alcohol concentration driving limits and annual alcohol-related road traffic accident deaths for various countries
In summary, when consuming alcohol, social drinkers are frequently unaware of exceeding the legal driving limit
Summary
Alcohol consumption and drunk driving constitute significant avoidable health risks and economic burdens despite decades of health promotion activities [1, 2]. Köchling et al Harm Reduction Journal (2021) 18:122 intoxication causes significant motor function impairments in a dose-dependent manner [3]. This becomes especially hazardous when operating a vehicle under the influence (DUI), as drunk drivers may struggle to keep their vehicle in lane and/or show delayed reaction to external stimuli [4,5,6,7]. Alcohol intoxication has been associated with increased risk-taking behaviour in young male participants [8] Taken together, this leads to a highly increased risk of potentially lethal car accidents and other alcohol-related injuries [9]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of self-estimating the degree of acute alcohol intoxication regarding the legal driving limit, and to identify risk factors for misjudgement
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
