The effectiveness of reducing illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits for driving: Evidence for lowering the limit to .05 BAC

Fell, James C.; Voas, Robert B.

doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2005.07.006

Cited by 124 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…For instance, impairment of various driving-related performance skills (e.g., divided attention) begins with any departure from a .00% BAC Ogden and Moskowitz, 2004), with the majority of the driving population impaired on at least one important measure of driving ability at 20 mg/dl (.02%) BAC . Moreover, the vast majority of studies document signifi cant alcohol-related impairment at a BAC level of 50 mg/dl (.05%) (Chamberlain and Solomon, 2002;Fell and Voas, 2006;Ogden and Moskowitz, 2004).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Breath Alcohol Concentrations of Designated Drivers

Barry

Chaney

Stellefson

2013

J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs

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ABSTRACT. Objective: This study established breath alcohol concentrations (BrACs) and alcohol-related behaviors of designated drivers (DDs) to determine (a) whether DDs are abstaining from drinking, (b) whether alcohol-related behaviors of non-DDs and DDs were different, and (c) whether the alcohol consumption of DDs resulted in BrAC levels that affected driving performance or caused psychomotor impairment. Method: We conducted six anonymous fi eld studies during a 3-month period in a southeastern college community restaurant and bar district. Intercept interviews were conducted with 1,071 bar patrons. Alcoholrelated behaviors, BrAC, and whether one was serving as a DD were measured. The sample was primarily White (72.7%), male (62.4%) college students (64.7%). Descriptive statistics and an independent sample t test compared the BrACs of DDs versus non-DDs. A one-way analysis of variance examined the differences in the alcohol-related behaviors (Alcohol Use Disorders Identifi cation Test-consumption [AUDIT-C] score) across DDs abstaining from drinking (BrAC = .00 g/210 L), drinking DDs (BrACs ≥ .02 and < .05 g/210 L), and impaired DDs (BrACs ≥ .05 g/210 L). A logistic regression assessed the impact of alcohol-related behaviors (AUDIT-C) on whether one was serving as a DD. Results: Of the 165 DDs, approximately 40% did not abstain from drinking. Approximately 17% of DDs had BrACs between .02 g/210 L and .049 g/210 L, whereas 18% recorded BrACs at .05 g/210 L or greater. The mean AUDIT-C score for impaired DDs signifi cantly differed from both abstaining DDs and drinking DDs. Participants with greater AUDIT-C scores were more likely to serve as a DD and have a BrAC that signifi cantly inhibited driving ability and psychomotor function. Conclusions: These fi ndings identify the need for consensus across researcher, layperson, and communication campaigns that a DD must be someone who has abstained from drinking entirely. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 74, 509-513, 2013)

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confidence: 99%

Breath Alcohol Concentrations of Designated Drivers

Barry

Chaney

Stellefson

2013

J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs

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“…In countries where the illegal BAC limit is 0.5, it has been recommended that this limit be reduced to 0.02 for professional and young or novice drivers, 36,37 based on the 4-to 10-fold higher relative risk of a driver with BAC between 0.05 and 0.07 becoming involved in a fatal accident when compared with a driver with a BAC of 0.00. 38 Furthermore, measures such as regulating the alcohol industry, increasing taxes, reducing opening hours of alcohol sales outlets, and alcohol marketing restrictions have all been implemented in the U.S. state of California, with promising results. 39 In this scenario, it is important to underscore that restrictions regulating alcohol advertising could also help reduce its consumption, especially among youngsters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 The chance of dying in a traffic accident is 4 to 10 times greater when the blood alcohol content (BAC) is between 5 and 7 dg/L, and a driver involved in an accident and showing a BAC of 10 dg/L has a 90% of probability of being responsible for the act. 4 In Brazil, as in many other countries, traffic accidents are considered a public health problem. The mortality rate due to road traffic accidents is 22.4 per 100 thousand inhabitants; among young adults, traffic-related deaths are the second cause of violent deaths.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with recurrence of alcohol-related traffic violations in southern Brazil

Schmitz

Goldim²,

Guimarães

et al. 2014

Rev. Bras. Psiquiatr.

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Objective: To analyze variables associated with recurrence of blood alcohol content (BAC)-related traffic violations among drivers in southern Brazil. Method: This cross-sectional study included 12,204 driving-under-the-influence (DUI) offenders according to data provided by the Rio Grande do Sul state Transportation Department. Sociodemographic characteristics, license duration, license category, and psychological assessment results were analyzed. Drivers convicted of DUI more than once in 2009/2010 were considered recidivists. Variables were evaluated using descriptive statistical analysis and Poisson regression, adjusted by sex, age, and education level. Results: A total of 538 (4.41%) drivers were considered recidivists. The following variables showed the strongest associations with recidivism: being aged 41-50 years (prevalence ratio [PR] = 3.41), being licensed for o 12 years (PR = 1.86), being licensed for motorcycles, cars and trucks (PR = 1.36), having a license with psychological restrictions (PR = 1.33), and driving a truck or a similar vehicle at the moment of notification (PR = 1.08). Conclusions: In the age group with the highest risk for recurrence, drivers showed a higher probability of having a diagnosis of alcohol dependence and other psychiatric comorbidities that hinder the control of alcohol use. Psychological assessments seem to be important in predicting repeat offenses, especially when limited aptitudes are suspected, and should therefore be better investigated.

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“…Indeed, virtually every jurisdiction that lowered its permissible BAC limits for driving experienced significant and sustained reductions in impaired driving deaths and injuries (Albalate 2006;Babor et al 2010, 166-70;Chamberlain and Solomon 2002;Fell and Voas 2006;Mann et al 2001;Shults et al 2001, 69-72;Sleet et al 2011;Wagenaar et al 2007).…”

Section: Creating a 05 Percent Bac Offencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…There was very real opposition from and concerted lobbying by the alcohol and hospitality industries, which alleged, among other things, that a lower BAC limit would interfere with social drinking and would fail to deter so-called ''hard core'' drinkers (Simpson, Mayhew, and Beirness 1996;Morrison 1999;American Beverage Institute 2002). No credible evidence was provided in support of these claims Solomon 2001, 2002;Fell and Voas 2006). Nevertheless, the industries' position was reflected in the federal government's continued focus on more severe penalties for convicted offenders, which have achieved little progress in deterring drinking drivers (Chamberlain and Solomon 2001).…”

Section: Creating a 05 Percent Bac Offencementioning

confidence: 99%

Federal Impaired Driving Policy: Moving Beyond Half Measures

Solomon

Chamberlain

2014

Canadian Public Policy

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Des millions de Canadiens continuent de conduire après avoir consommé de l'alcool, en partie parce qu'ils peuvent le faire sans craindre de se faire arrêter, accuser, et reconnaître coupables. Les amendements du fédéral à la loi réprimant la conduite avec facultés affaiblies des quinze dernières années ont surtout porté sur les pénalités, les questions précises en matière de poursuites, et les failles de longue date. Toutefois, les progrès importants exigent de passer de ces lois soi-disant « sévères » à des lois efficaces (celles qui permettront de réduire de façon marquée la conduite avec facultés affaiblies). En réponse à des problèmes similaires où la conduite avec facultés affaiblies persiste, bon nombre de pays développés ont promulgué pour la conduite à la fois une limite criminelle de 0,05 pour cent d'alcool dans le sang et un alcootest obligatoire, ce qui a permis de réduire considérablement les décès lors des accidents d'automobile. Le présent article examine ces deux mesures dans le contexte du dossier canadien de conduite avec facultés affaiblies et de la loi fédérale actuelle. Mots clés : alcool au Volant, les alcootests aléatoires, limites d'alcoolémie, collisionsMillions of Canadians continue to drive after drinking, in part because they can do so with little fear of being apprehended, charged, and convicted. The federal amendments to impaired driving law of the past 15 years have focused on penalties, narrow prosecutorial issues, and long-standing loopholes. However, significant progress requires a shift from these so-called ''tough'' laws to effective laws (i.e., those that will sharply reduce impaired driving). In response to similar problems with the persistence of impaired driving, many developed countries have enacted both a criminal .05 percent blood-alcohol concentration limit for driving and random breath testing, thereby achieving dramatic reductions in related crash deaths. This paper examines these two measures in the context of Canada's impaired driving record and the current federal law.

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The effectiveness of reducing illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits for driving: Evidence for lowering the limit to .05 BAC

Cited by 124 publications

References 15 publications

Breath Alcohol Concentrations of Designated Drivers

Breath Alcohol Concentrations of Designated Drivers

Factors associated with recurrence of alcohol-related traffic violations in southern Brazil

Federal Impaired Driving Policy: Moving Beyond Half Measures

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