Alcohol-related Road Accidents Research Articles

Forensic Assessment of Alcohol Intoxication in Cases of Fatal Road Traffic Accidents in Lithuania.

There is strong evidence that alcohol consumption is a significant risk factor for fatal road traffic accidents. It is estimated that the number of alcohol-related road accidents remains high in the past few years in Lithuania. This study aims to examine the prevalence of alcohol in blood samples collected from the autopsy results of road traffic accident victims. A retrospective study of 136 road traffic accident victims was performed in State Forensic Medicine Service of Lithuania in the period of 2013 to 2023. We analyzed blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in relation to sex, age, road user type, place and time of the day at death. 31% of the victims were under influence of alcohol at the time of death, with mean BAC 1.99 ± 0.92‰. The mean BAC was 2.16 ± 0.8‰ in male and 1.18 ± 1.12‰ in female group. By the type of road users, 23% of the pedestrians (mean BAC 2.45 ± 0.71‰), 32% of car drivers (mean BAC 2.13 ± 0.75‰), 41% of vehicle passengers (mean BAC of 1.73 ± 1.19‰), 37% of the motorcycle riders (mean BAC of 1.28 ± 0.53‰), 37% of the cyclists (mean BAC of 1.15 ± 0.75‰) were found to be intoxicated during the time of accident. Highest mean blood alcohol concentration was found during the night time hours (9 p. m. - 5 a. m.) 2.28 ± 0.91, comparing to in afternoon hours (12 p. m. - 5 p. m.) 1.49 ± 0.99, evening hours (5 p. m. - 9 p. m.) 2.10 ± 0.73 and morning hours (5 a. m. - 12 p. m.) 1.94 ± 1.00. The mean BAC in road traffic accidents during summer was 1.48 ± 0.71‰, spring 2.25 ± 0.76‰, autumn 2.12 ± 1‰, winter 2.42 ± 1‰. Alcohol consumption by road users is a significant contributing factor in road traffic accidents and their outcomes in Lithuania.

Alcohol-associated traffic injuries in Verona territory: A nine-year survey.

According to the World Health Organization, as many as 25% of traffic accidents are linked to alcohol abuse. This study describes the results of a nine-year study performed on injured drivers (N = 12,806) in the Verona area of Northern Italy. Blood samples were mandatorily collected on injured drivers who were admitted to the Emergency Health Care Unit of Verona Hospital between 2009 and 2017, after they had been involved in a traffic accident. Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) determination was then undertaken using a validated head space-gas chromatography-flame ionisation detector (HS-GC-FID) method. We found that 21% of drivers tested positive for alcohol (BAC ≥0.01 g/L), while 16.8% presented with BAC levels above the Italian legal limit (>0.5 g/L). Of those who had positive BACs, about 50% presented with very high BAC levels (>1.5 g/L). Daily time distribution analyses, involving 2031 alcohol-positive drivers, showed a surge between 18:00 hours and 06:00 hours (74.3%), with a specific rise during the weekend (58.9%). The percentage of alcohol-related road accidents was 20.6%, which is lower than results reported in other international studies performed over the last 20 years. However, evidence that around 50% of the positive subjects showed a BAC >1.5 g/L confirms the correlation between BAC and accident risk, which becomes even more significant at progressively increasing levels of BAC. The study highlights the need to implement further strategies to both prevent and deter the use of alcohol while driving.

The effects of a change in permissible blood alcohol concentration limit on involving drink-driving in road accidents

The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit has an effect not only on the prevalence of drivers under the influence of alcohol (DUI), but also on the occurrence and severity of road accidents. Most researchers in this field agree that reducing the alcohol limit leads to a decreased number of alcohol-related road accidents. Alcohol limit is a consequence of various political and legal factors. Depending on the driver category and country, the limit of alcohol concentration amounts up to 0.8 mg/ml. Alcohol affects drivers differently depending on their age, driving experience, etc. Thus, each alteration of alcohol concentration limit raises the issue of effects resulting from such a change. In 2009, in Serbia the alcohol concentration limit was reduced from 0.5 mg/ml to 0.3 mg/ml, as well as to 0 mg/ml for novice drivers, professional drivers and motorcyclists. After several years of application of more stringent alcohol limits, a research was conducted in order to identify the effects of reduced alcohol limit on involving DUI drivers in road accidents. The studies dealt with the influences of zero tolerance on novice drivers and motorcycle riders, as well as with the effects of reduced alcohol limits on other drivers and their involvement in road crashes. In order to study the influence of alcohol limits thus reduced, the researchers considered the relationship between the involvement of DUI drivers in road accidents in the years before and after the change in the permissible alcohol limit. The results of this study can be valuable for further development of the legislation related to alcohol concentration limits.

Profiling drunk driving recidivists in Denmark

Drunk drivers are a menace to themselves and to other road users, as drunk driving significantly increases the risk of involvement in road accidents and the probability of severe or fatal injuries. Although injuries and fatalities related to road accidents have decreased in recent decades, the prevalence of drunk driving among drivers killed in road accidents has remained stable, at around 25% or more during the past 10 years. Understanding drunk driving, and in particular, recidivism, is essential for designing effective countermeasures, and accordingly, the present study aims at identifying the differences between non-drunk drivers, drunk driving non-recidivists and drunk driving recidivists with respect to their demographic and socio-economic characteristics, road accident involvement and other traffic and non-traffic-related law violations. This study is based on register-data from Statistics Denmark and includes information from 2008 to 2012 for the entire population, aged 18 or older, of Denmark. The results from univariate and multivariate statistical analyses reveal a five year prevalence of 17% for drunk driving recidivism, and a significant relation between recidivism and the drunk drivers’ gender, age, income, education, receipt of an early retirement pension, household type, and residential area. Moreover, recidivists are found to have a higher involvement in alcohol-related road accidents, as well as other traffic and, in particular, non-traffic-related offences. These findings indicate that drunk driving recidivism is more likely to occur among persons who are in situations of socio-economic disadvantage and marginalisation. Thus, to increase their effectiveness, preventive measures aiming to reduce drunk driving should also address issues related to the general life situations of the drunk driving recidivists that contribute to an increased risk of drunk driving recidivism.

Alcohol-Related Road Accidents and Holiday

Dear Editor, the recent report on ‘Alcohol-Related Road Accidents and Holiday’ is very interesting (Foster et al. , 2015). Foster et al. found ‘specific time-windows that are associated with increases in drinking and alcohol-related harm (Foster …

Temporal Patterns of Alcohol Consumption and Alcohol-Related Road Accidents in Young Swiss Men: Seasonal, Weekday and Public Holiday Effects.

To assess seasonal, weekday, and public holiday effects on alcohol-related road accidents and drinking diaries among young Swiss men. Federal road accident data (35,485 accidents) from Switzerland and drinking diary data from a large cohort of young Swiss men (11,930 subjects) were analysed for temporal effects by calendar week, weekday and public holiday (Christmas, New Years, National Day). Alcohol-related accidents were analysed using rate ratios for observed versus expected numbers of accidents and proportions of alcohol-related accidents relative to the total number. Drinking diaries were analysed for the proportion of drinkers, median number of drinks consumed, and the 90th percentile's number of drinks consumed. Several parallel peaks were identified in alcohol-related accidents and drinking diaries. These included increases on Fridays and Saturdays, with Saturday drinking extending until early Sunday morning, an increase during the summer on workdays but not weekends, an increase at the end of the year, and increases on public holidays and the evening before. Our results suggest specific time-windows that are associated with increases in drinking and alcohol-related harm. Established prevention measures should be enforced during these time-windows to reduce associated peaks.

Comparison of the Effects of Two Legal Blood Alcohol Limits: The Presence of Alcohol in Traffic Accidents According to Category of Driver in Izmir, Turkey

Objectives: Under existing Turkish road traffic law, there are 2 different blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits allowed for drivers in 2013: zero blood alcohol and ≤0.50 g/L. All public transport, taxi, commercial, and official vehicle drivers must maintain a zero blood alcohol concentration while driving. Private vehicle drivers must maintain a BAC of 0.50 g/L or lower. The aim of the recent study was to evaluate the effect of these 2 legal blood alcohol limits on nonfatal traffic accidents that occurred due to the driver being under the influence of alcohol.Methods: This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the blood alcohol concentration of 224 drivers in nonfatal road accidents between June 2010 and July 2011 using headspace gas chromatography at the Izmir Forensic Medicine Group Presidency, Turkey. All cases evaluated by the toxicology department were entered into a database. We used descriptive statistics, χ2 test, and independent sampling test to analyze the data.Results: The total number of drivers involved in nonfatal traffic accidents was 224; 191 were private vehicle drivers and 33 were public transport, taxi, commercial, and official vehicle drivers. In the present study, alcohol was detected in the blood of about 27.2% (n = 61) of the 224 drivers. Sixty (31.4%) private vehicle drivers involved in nonfatal traffic accidents tested positive for alcohol. BAC values were also above the legal limit (0.50 g/L) in 27.7% (n = 53) of private vehicle drivers. However, the BAC was above the legal limit in only 3% (n = 1) of public transport, commercial, and official vehicle drivers involved in nonfatal traffic accidents. These results showed that private vehicle drivers subject to a BAC limit of ≤0.50 g/L were significantly associated with an increased risk of nonfatal accident involvement than drivers subject to a zero BAC limit (odds ratio [OR] = 12.29, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64–92.22; Fisher's exact test, P <.001). Mean BAC in private vehicle drivers subject to a 0.50 g/L level (52.60 mg/dl ± 94.84) was significantly higher than that of drivers subject to a zero alcohol level (10.76 mg/dl ± 61.80; t = 2.44, P <.001).Conclusion: In light of our results, lowering the BAC limit for private vehicle drivers may reduce the level of driving under the influence of alcohol. A change in the law will decrease the rates of alcohol-related road accidents in Turkey.

Road Accidents, Alcohol, and Drugs: An Emergency Room Study in Florence, Italy

This article describes the potential contribution of alcohol and illicit drugs to increased risk of road accidents in Italy. Blood and urine samples were taken from patients admitted to five Emergency Rooms (ER) in metropolitan Florence, Italy, due to road traffic accidents within 3 hours of the accident. Seven hundred and thirty-five patients were tested to determine if alcohol and illicit drugs (amphetamines, opiates, cocaine, methadone, and cannabis) were present in urine and blood. Approximately 22% of patients were positive for at least one substance at night-time (20:00 to 5:59), and 18% were positive on the weekends (20:00 Friday to 05:59 Monday). Almost 80% of all alcohol-positive patients had a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) equal to or exceeding the legal limit. Findings indicated that alcohol and illicit drugs were important contributors to traffic accident risk and suggest prevention strategies for alcohol-related road accidents in Italy may need to follow those employed in other countries, including frequent and highly visible enforcement of drunk-driving laws.

Low blood alcohol levels. Experimental study on attention and body sway control functions

Objective Attempting to prevent alcohol-related road accidents requires sensitive, reliable and easy-to-use methods and instruments for ascertaining drivers’ state of intoxication. This paper examines the scientific validity of a method for assessing psychomotor performance combining measurement of neurosensory functions with the effect of low blood alcohol levels: body sway control and attention functions. Methods A double-blind, placebo-controlled study, with cross-over and random distribution on the effects of low blood alcohol levels. Psychomotor performance and body sway control were studied in 16 healthy volunteers after they had drunk a small dose of ethyl alcohol (0.5 g/kg) or placebo. Neurosensory and psychomotor functions were assessed by a Divided Attention Test (DAT), composed of the association between one test exploring short-term memory (Memory Test) and one exploring attention (Response Competition Test). Alterations in body sway were recorded by stabilometry. Tests were administered at 30, 60, 120 and 180 min after intake of alcohol. After a wash-out period of at least one week, subjects repeated the test after taking a second dose of alcohol or placebo. Blood alcohol concentrations were monitored by analysis of concentrations in expired air. Results A BAC under 50 mg/dL did not reveal statistically significant impaired memory capacities or motor coordination. Instead, statistically significant oscillations of body sway were measured ( p-values = 0.0001), especially when stabilometry was associated with deviant stimuli like those of the DAT ( p-values = 0.0001). Conclusions This study showed: (1) impaired performance, at the limits of statistical significance, on a complex psychometric test like the DAT; (2) some cognitive, attentive and visual perceptive functions are not compromised or at least not in a statistically significant manner; (3) a considerable alteration in the capacity for control of body sway after intake of alcohol becomes further and massively impaired when deviant stimuli are given; (4) this impairment appeared early and was more marked 1 and 2 h after intake of alcohol.

Trends in hotel patronage and drink driving in Hobart, Tasmania

From 1990 to 1991 in the Hobart region there was a marked fall in both hotel patronage and the proportion of patrons subsequently driving with their blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit. This was associated with smaller falls in the number of drink drivers charged and alcohol-related road accidents, which continued in the following year. It appears that the pattern of drinking and driving is changing, presumably in response to random breath testing and tougher penalties for offences.

Drinking patterns, risk taking and road accidents of young drivers: results of a Swiss case-control study.

A case-control study was conducted to test hypotheses about involvement in alcohol-related road accidents. Cases were defined as all male drivers between 18 and 25 years of age who were involved in a police-registered alcohol-related road accident in the Swiss cantons of Vaud and Ticino or the city of Zurich in 1990 and who had a BAC level of 0.8% and more (N = 306). Accident-free controls were drawn from registers of all persons with a driver's licence, matched for sex, age, and place of residence (N = 612). The main research instrument was a questionnaire distributed to cases and controls. Since response rates were relatively low in both groups (ca. 35%), specific analyses were undertaken to exclude the possibility of a selection bias. Results demonstrated that drinking pattern and risk behaviour were important contributing factors to the accidents. Especially, male persons with a permanent heavy-drinking style, males with a risky-driving style plus a regular or periodically heavy-drinking style, and persons who enjoy taking risks and drink to cope, increase their risk of being involved in an alcohol-related traffic accident more than sixfold. A tendency to engage generally in risky behaviour did not increase the risk of involvement in an alcohol accident.

Surgeon General Examines Options for Coping With Public Health Menace of Drunken Driving

ANYTIME ALL 100 US senators can agree on something, it's news. The problem that's brought them to unanimous agreement: the public health menace of drunken driving. This week, Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, MD—who has been pondering the problem for some time—was expected to assign staff to develop a plan through which he and his successors can work with the states and other agencies to cope with the drunken driving menace. Koop has in hand a letter from senators, who call the situation a "national crisis." The one-page letter summarizes some statistics relating to alcohol-related road accidents: Two of five Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident at some point in their lives. Two million alcohol-related crashes occur in the United States each year at a cost of at least $10 billion to $15 billion annually. Alcohol is a factor in over half of fatal motor vehicle accidents. Every

Surgeon General examines options for coping with public health menace of drunken driving

ANYTIME ALL 100 US senators can agree on something, it's news. The problem that's brought them to unanimous agreement: the public health menace of drunken driving. This week, Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, MD—who has been pondering the problem for some time—was expected to assign staff to develop a plan through which he and his successors can work with the states and other agencies to cope with the drunken driving menace. Koop has in hand a letter from senators, who call the situation a "national crisis." The one-page letter summarizes some statistics relating to alcohol-related road accidents: Two of five Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related accident at some point in their lives. Two million alcohol-related crashes occur in the United States each year at a cost of at least $10 billion to $15 billion annually. Alcohol is a factor in over half of fatal motor vehicle accidents. Every

Calling time.

Changes in the licensing laws should take account of the times at which alcohol related road accidents occur, according to a study from Dundee.