Citation

Hoffmann H. Blutalkohol 2001; 38(5): 336-348.

Affiliation

Bundesanstalt fur Straszenwesen, 51427 Bergisch-Gladbach, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety and Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Straßenverkehr, Publisher Steintor Verlag)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In order for courses for the reinstatement of driving licences to be recognized legally according to (section) 70, sec. 1, no. 4 of the FeV (driving licensing ordinance), their effectiveness must be proven. Within the framework of this prerequisite, it is being considered which relevant data could be used for comparison to the relapse rate of participants of a particular alcohol course in order to judge its effectiveness. In addition to the usually applied legal probation data of positively assessed people (control group) a reference value could be considered, which could, at the same time serve as a limit for minimum effectiveness. The topic of factors influencing the evaluation of courses for the reinstatement of driving licences is also discussed. Each state could decide to accept its effectiveness by comparing empirical data with a determined limit, according to (section) 70 (FeV) within the framework of legal recognition of courses to reinstate driving licences. Different findings regarding relapse rates of drink drivers show no clear evidence as to where the limit may lie and from when a course may be considered to be sufficiently effective. With this background in mind a limit should be established from a data pool, containing information about the up-to-date relapse data of people who attended courses. After several years of data collection the Federal government and its states could negotiate a new limit, which, in the long term, would need to be readjusted according to new research results. For instance, this could be possible after the next evaluation at the end of 15 years ((section) 70, section 2 FeV). A similar course of action could be taken for courses following endorsements and drug use. Should a limit not be attained the course organizers would have to improve their courses until the desired relapse rate be achieved. This would present the advantage of competition, which would ensure continuous development and therefore progress.