Citation

Biecheler-Fretel MB, Filou C, Peytavin JF. J. Traffic Med. 1994; 22(2): 79-84.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This report describes a survey carried out to investigate simultaneously behavior relating to alcohol use and speeding. The study was carried out in 1991 in the Pas de Calais, Northern France, on rural first and second class roads. A total of 714 drivers or motorcyclists were stopped. The drivers were stopped at locations where speed could be measured over the preceding several hundred metres using a speedometer placed in an unmarked car. Drivers' alcohol levels were measured using an Alcomat Breathalyser. Other offenses were taken into account and included failure to carry papers and the state of the vehicle. Each driver also filled out a short questionnaire covering his or her basic socioeconomic status, journey, any consumption of alcohol or medicines, and accident record. The findings indicate that speeding and drink driving offenses are not committed by the same people. However non-respect for the requirement to abstain from drinking and driving, while still remaining within the legal limit, is associated with a tendency to exceed the speed limit.