Citation

Lang CP, Tay B, Watson BC, Edmonston C, O'Connor E. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2003; 7(1): 164-169.

Copyright

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

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

An exploratory study was conducted to examine the issue of drink walking as part of a larger program of research examining youth and risk-taking behaviour. The study involved breath testing and surveying patrons as they left a licensed premise. Items addressed past experiences of drink walking behaviour, knowledge and perceptions of the dangers and legal consequences associated with drink walking and drink driving, trip planning, and factors influencing choice of transport mode. Results revealed that while most people indicated that drinking arrangements were a large factor in planning how to get home, most intended to travel by car with friends. However, 55 per cent of the sample recalled situations when alcohol had impaired their ability to walk to their destination. Approximately half of the sample had heard of the term drink walking but associated it with travelling home (rather than between licensed venues) and with higher levels of intoxication compared to drink driving. The implications of the findings for the design of educational campaigns and other interventions are discussed.