Citation

Holubowycz OT, Kloeden CN, McLean AJ. Proc. Int. Counc. Alcohol Drugs Traffic Safety Conf. 1993; 1993: 939-944.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, The author(s) and the Council, Publisher International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper examines the usual drinking behaviour reported by male drivers of cars, vans and motorcycles, involved in crashes, who reported consuming alcohol during the month they were taken to a major trauma hospital in South Australia (see previous abstract). Detailed information was obtained from each driver interviewed, about his levels of drinking during the previous month. Those with a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) were significantly more likely than those with zero BAC to report a higher frequency of alcohol consumption and more frequent drunkenness. About a third of those in each of the three positive BAC groups reported that they drank more than four days a week on average, compared with about a sixth of those with zero BAC. Table 1 gives self-reported quantity of alcohol most often consumed in the preceding month by BAC. Tables 2 to 4 give the percentages reporting at least occasional drinking by BAC, for specified locations, company and reasons, respectively. About a fifth of those with BAC at least 150mg/100ml felt that they had a current drinking problem. Only a few with lower levels seemed to be alcohol-dependent. In each BAC group, people most often drank to be sociable or to celebrate.