Citation

Gonzalez-Wilhelm L, Orellana JJ, Bratzke H. Blutalkohol 2007; 44(4): 215-230.

Affiliation

CIGES, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety and Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Straßenverkehr, Publisher Steintor Verlag)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Introduction: In Germany, it is estimated that in about 50 % of the fatal traffic accidents, at least one of the people involved was under the influence of alcohol. Aim: to obtain an epidemiological profile of alcohol prevalence among adults (older than 18 years) involved in traffic law violations in South-Hessen (Germany). Material and Methods: cross sectional study. Using the software "Stata(trademark) 9.1$ and $StatCalc(trademark) 5.4.3$ we analysed data from blood alcohol analyses (BAA) performed in the Centre of Forensic Medicine Frankfurt/Main between 1993-2004 using the ADH-Test and GC-HS/FID. All of the statistical tests were carried out at a probability of error level of 5 %. The study was approved by the ethical board of the University. Results: In the investigation period 92 038 BAA were carried out with our target population, of which 9 210 BAA (10.1 %) fulfilled the exclusions criteria. Consequently, 82 828 BAA remained, of which 91.1 % were men, 85.5 % were car drivers; their average age was 37.3 (plus or minus) 12.4 years (Median = 35.4). The blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was generally sig-nificantly higher during the week, in women as well as in cyclists. 92.3 % reached a BAC (greater-than or equal to) 0.5 (per mille) (so-called "Alk-Pos"), whereby the "Alk-Pos" proportion decreased with time (max 4.1 %). It did not exhibit differences regarding month, season or weekday/weekend whereas differences became obvious in gender, age group and kind of road user. "Alk-Pos" outweighed mainly in male car drivers (particularly between 40-44 year olds). "Alk-Pos" average age was 37.5 (plus or minus) 12.1 years (Median = 35.8) and was significantly higher compared with BAA less than 0.5 (per mille). Average BAC from "Alk-Pos" was 1.62 (per mille) (plus or minus) 0.61 (per mille) (Median = 1.58 (per mille)). It shows a significant decrease particularly since 1998 and as consequence of a reduction of the group "2.00 (per mille)-2.99 (per mille)". 72.2 % of the findings were categorized as "absolute driving inability". Conclusions: Following the introduction of the new alcohol limits (0.5 (per mille)) in 1998 a significant reduction of the "Alk-Pos"-proportion and a lowering of the BAC could be observed. The higher alcohol levels of older road users do not necessarily implicate an increased alcohol abuse at those ages.