Citation

Toms M. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2003; 7(1): 265-270.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In 2002, the Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC) conducted research into drink driving and drink walking among the NSW Pacific Island community. The methodology aimed to differentiate the contexts in which drink driving and drink walking occur among certain members of those communities (for example young people, males), and to recommend counter measures. The research found a disturbing pattern of binge-drinking among Pacific Island people, and related drink driving and drink walking. One of the more alarming findings is the large number of young people who are passengers of drink drivers. The passengers are rarely in a position to influence the driver, especially if they are a parent or relative. Drink walking is common with young males, although not considered a problem by some. The research also found mixed awareness of BAC levels and drink driver penalties. The paper will focus on the social contexts for drink driving and drink walking, and recommend counter-measures to minimise the harm from drink driving and drink walking with Pacific Island people in NSW.