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Chan YS, Tsai WD. Drunk driving policies and breath test refusal in Taiwan. TRAFFIC INJURY PREVENTION 2023; 24:543-551. [PMID: 37459225 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2023.2231584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Driving under the influence (DUI) is one of the major causes of traffic crashes in Taiwan, leading to huge medical expenditures and human capital loss. Although the authorities have enacted several policies to reduce drunk driving, most penalties are based on drunk drivers' alcohol levels. According to Taiwan regulations, drivers could pay a fine to refuse the breath test if they are not involved in a traffic collision, and there is no clear evidence showing that they are DUI. Therefore, increased sanctions for DUI may lead to increased breath test refusals. If breath tests for drunk driving could be refused with little or no punishments for drivers, then the detection of behavioral impairment would weaken, and the deterrent effect of DUI punishment would be limited. METHOD This research uses interrupted time-series analysis (ITSA) to examine how policy reforms from 2007 to 2020 affected driver's breath refusal rate in Taiwan. RESULTS We find that said reforms that exclusively increase the punishment of DUI offenders did raise the refusal rate immediately and persistently, suggesting that more drunk drivers would refuse a breath test to avoid more severe DUI punishment. Policy reforms that increase penalties for drivers refusing to take breath tests may instantly lower the refusal rate, but the long-term effects are contingent upon the DUI punishment. CONCLUSIONS It appears that drunk drivers could still decide on breath test refusal to avoid a DUI conviction if the punishment for refusing the test is less severe than that for DUI. Aggravating penalties for refusing breath tests would decrease the refusal rate and help reinforce DUI's deterrent effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Shan Chan
- Department of Public Finance, National Taipei University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Der Tsai
- Graduate Institute of Industrial Economics, National Central University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
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Morrison CN, Gobaud AN, Mehranbod CA, Bushover BR, Branas CC, Wiebe DJ, Peek-Asa C, Chen Q, Ferris J. Optimizing sobriety checkpoints to maximize public health benefits and minimize operational costs. Inj Epidemiol 2023; 10:17. [PMID: 36915163 PMCID: PMC10010209 DOI: 10.1186/s40621-023-00427-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sobriety checkpoints are a highly effective strategy to reduce alcohol-impaired driving, but they are used infrequently in the USA. Recent evidence from observational studies suggests that using optimized sobriety checkpoints-operating for shorter duration with fewer officers-can minimize operational costs without reducing public health benefits. The aim of this research was to conduct a pilot study to test whether police can feasibly implement optimized sobriety checkpoints and whether researchers can examine optimized sobriety checkpoints compared to usual practice within a non-randomized controlled trial study design. METHODS The study site was the Town of Apex, NC. We worked with Apex Police Department to develop a schedule of sobriety checkpoints during calendar year 2021 that comprised 2 control checkpoints (conducted according to routine practice) and 4 optimized checkpoints staffed by fewer officers. Our primary operations aim was to test whether police can feasibly implement optimized sobriety checkpoints. Our primary research aim was to identify barriers and facilitators for conducting an intervention study of optimized sobriety checkpoints compared to usual practice. A secondary aim was to assess motorist support for sobriety checkpoints and momentary stress while passing through checkpoints. RESULTS Apex PD conducted 5 of the 6 checkpoints and reported similar operational capabilities and results during the optimized checkpoints compared to control checkpoints. For example, a mean of 4 drivers were investigated for possibly driving while impaired at the optimized checkpoints, compared to 2 drivers at control checkpoints. The field team conducted intercept surveys among 112 motorists at 4 of the 6 checkpoints in the trial schedule. The survey response rate was 11% from among 1,045 motorists who passed through these checkpoints. Over 90% of respondents supported sobriety checkpoints, and momentary stress during checkpoints was greater for motorists who reported consuming any alcohol in the last 90 days compared to nondrinkers (OR = 6.7, 95%CI: 1.6, 27.1). CONCLUSIONS Results of this study indicate the sobriety checkpoints can feasibly be optimized by municipal police departments, but it will be very difficult to assess the impacts of optimized checkpoints compared to usual practice using an experimental study design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher N Morrison
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th St, R505, New York, NY, 10032, USA. .,Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Ariana N Gobaud
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th St, R505, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Christina A Mehranbod
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th St, R505, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Brady R Bushover
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th St, R505, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Charles C Branas
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, 722 West 168th St, R505, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Douglas J Wiebe
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Corinne Peek-Asa
- Office of Research Affairs, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Qixuan Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jason Ferris
- Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
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McCarthy DM, McCarty KN, Hatz LE, Prestigiacomo CJ, Park S, Davis‐Stober CP. Applying Bayesian cognitive models to decisions to drive after drinking. Addiction 2021; 116:1424-1430. [PMID: 33118248 PMCID: PMC8281388 DOI: 10.1111/add.15302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Despite widespread negative perceptions, the prevalence of alcohol-impaired driving (AID) in the United States remains unacceptably high. This study used a novel decision task to evaluate whether individuals considered both ride service cost and alcohol consumption level when deciding whether or not to drive, and whether the resulting strategy was associated with engagement in AID. DESIGN A two-sample study, where sample 1 developed a novel AID decision task to classify participants by decision strategy. Sample 2 was used to cross-validate the task and examine whether decision strategy classifications were predictive of prior reported AID behavior. SETTING A laboratory setting at the University of Missouri, USA. PARTICIPANTS Sample 1 included 38 student participants from introductory psychology classes at the University of Missouri. Sample 2 included 67 young adult participants recruited from the local community. MEASUREMENTS We developed a decision task that presented hypothetical drinking scenarios that varied in quantity of alcohol consumption (one to six drinks) and the cost of a ride service ($5-25). We applied a Bayesian computational model to classify choices as consistent with either: integrating both ride cost and consumption level (compensatory) or considering only consumption level (non-compensatory) when making hypothetical AID decisions. In sample 2, we assessed established AID risk factors (sex, recent alcohol consumption, perceived safe limit) and recent (past 3 months) engagement in AID. FINDINGS In sample 1, the majority of participants were classified as using decision strategies consistent with either a compensatory or non-compensatory process. Results from sample 2 replicated the overall classification rate and demonstrated that participants who used a compensatory strategy were more likely to report recent AID, even after accounting for study covariates. CONCLUSIONS In a hypothetical alcohol-impaired driving (AID) decision task, individuals who considered both consumption level and ride service cost were more likely to report recent AID than those who made decisions based entirely on consumption level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis M. McCarthy
- Department of Psychological Sciences University of Missouri Columbia MO USA
| | | | - Laura E. Hatz
- Department of Psychological Sciences University of Missouri Columbia MO USA
| | | | - Sanghyuk Park
- Department of Psychological Sciences University of Missouri Columbia MO USA
| | - Clintin P. Davis‐Stober
- Department of Psychology Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Indianapolis IN USA
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Romano E, Torres-Saavedra PA, Calderón Cartagena HI, Voas RB, Ramírez A. Alcohol-Related Risk of Driver Fatalities in Motor Vehicle Crashes: Comparing Data From 2007 and 2013-2014. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2019. [PMID: 30079869 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.2018.79.547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Using data from 2013-2014, this article aims to update alcohol-related fatal crash relative risk estimates, defined as the risk of dying in those crashes at different blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) relative to the risk of dying in a crash when sober (BAC = .00 g/dl), and to examine any change in risk that could have taken place between 2007 and 2013-2014. More specifically, we examine changes in risk among BAC = .00 g/dl drivers and among BAC > .00 g/ dl drivers. METHOD We matched and merged crash data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and exposure data from the National Roadside Survey (NRS). To the matched database we applied logistic regression to estimate the changes in relative risk. RESULTS We found that among sober (BAC = .00 g/dl) drivers, the risk of dying in a fatal crash decreased between 2007 and 2013-2014. For drinking drivers, however, no parallel reduction in the overall contribution of alcohol to the fatal crash risk occurred. Compared with 2007, in 2013-2014 the oldest group of drivers (age ≥ 35 years) were at an elevated crash risk when driving at low BACs (.00 g/dl < BAC < .02 g/dl). CONCLUSIONS Although the decrease in crash risk for drivers with a BAC of .00 g/dl is encouraging, the consistency of the alcohol-related risk estimates over the last two decades suggests the need to substantially strengthen current efforts to abate drinking and driving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Romano
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), Calverton, Maryland
| | - Pedro A Torres-Saavedra
- Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
| | | | - Robert B Voas
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), Calverton, Maryland
| | - Anthony Ramírez
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), Calverton, Maryland
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Fell J. Underutilized strategies in traffic safety: Results of a nationally representative survey. TRAFFIC INJURY PREVENTION 2019; 20:S57-S62. [PMID: 31550179 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2019.1654605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Numerous strategies proven to be effective in reducing crash fatalities have been underutilized in the United States, including sobriety checkpoints; automated enforcement; lower blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits; primary enforcement of safety belt and motorcycle helmet use laws; alcohol ignition interlock installations; drugged driving screening; lowered residential speed limits; and roundabout installations. If these strategies are implemented widely in every state, traffic fatalities could be reduced by at least 50%. A barrier to implementation is the perception by officials that the public is against them. The purpose of this study was to determine which of these underutilized measures would be favorable to the American public given that they are educated on the research of their effectiveness.Methods: A representative survey of 2,000 U.S. drivers was conducted in October 2018 with 30 questions about these underutilized strategies using the National Opinion Research Center's (NORC) AmeriSpeak® survey instrument. Our objective was to gauge the public's opinion of these strategies when they are aware of the research on their effectiveness.Results: Respondents were given a summary of the research on the effectiveness of these strategies and then asked whether they were in favor of them in their communities; 64.7% of the respondents were in favor of conducting sobriety checkpoints at least monthly; 68.2% were in favor of police using passive alcohol sensors at sobriety checkpoints; 60.3% of respondents were in favor of using speed and red light cameras for automated enforcement; 70.1% were in favor of a law that required all cars to have seat belt reminders that continuously chime until the seat belt is buckled, including for rear seat passengers; and 62.5% were in favor of raising the fine in their state for not using a seat belt from $25 to $100. Other results indicated public support for these strategies.Conclusions: The results indicate that when drivers in the United States are given facts about certain strategies to reduce crash fatalities, the majority are in favor of the underutilized strategies. This information could be useful to legislators and highway safety officials in their decisions to implement these strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Fell
- Economics, Justice and Society, NORC at the University of Chicago, Bethesda, Maryland
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Brubacher JR, Chan H, Erdelyi S, Asbridge M, Mann RE, Purssell RA, Solomon R. Police documentation of drug use in injured drivers: Implications for monitoring and preventing drug-impaired driving. ACCIDENT; ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION 2018; 118:200-206. [PMID: 29482896 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2018.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Most countries have laws against driving while impaired by drugs. However, in many countries, including Canada and the United States, police must have individualized suspicion that the driver has recently used an impairing substance before they can gather the evidence required for laying a criminal charge. This report studies police documentation of drug involvement among drivers who had a motor-vehicle crash after using an impairing substance. METHODS We obtained blood samples and police reports on injured drivers treated in participating British Columbia trauma centres following a crash. Blood was analyzed for alcohol, cannabinoids, other recreational drugs, and impairing medications. Corresponding police reports were examined to determine whether police recorded that the driver's ability was impaired by alcohol, drug or medication, or that one of these substances was a possible contributory factor in the crash. RESULTS We obtained blood samples and corresponding police reports on 1816 injured drivers. Mean driver age was 44 years, 63.2% were male, and 25.8% were admitted to hospital. Alcohol was detected in 272 drivers (15.0%), THC (tetrahydrocannabinol - the principal psychoactive ingredient in cannabis) in 136 (7.5%), other recreational drugs in 166 (9.1%), and potentially impairing medications in 363 (20.0%). Police reported that the driver's ability was impaired by alcohol or that alcohol was a possible contributory factor in 64.1% of the crashes involving alcohol-positive drivers. Drug impairment or drugs as a possible contributory factor was reported in 5.9% of the crashes involving THC-positive drivers, and in 16.9% of the crashes involving drivers who tested positive for other recreational drugs. Medication impairment was reported in only 2.2% of the crashes involving medication-positive drivers. CONCLUSION Police seldom document drug involvement in drivers who were in a crash after using cannabis, other recreational drugs or potentially impairing medications. This finding raises serious concerns about the ability of the police to effectively enforce current drug-impaired driving laws and public health officials' continued reliance on police crash reports to monitor the prevalence of drug-impaired driving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R Brubacher
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Herbert Chan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Shannon Erdelyi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Mark Asbridge
- Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Canada
| | - Robert E Mann
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto & Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Roy A Purssell
- Department of Emergency Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Canada
| | - Robert Solomon
- Faculty of Law, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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Fiorentino DD, Martin BD. Survey regarding the 0.05 blood alcohol concentration limit for driving in the United States. TRAFFIC INJURY PREVENTION 2018; 19:345-351. [PMID: 29333873 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2018.1424840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND On May 14, 2013, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) proposed that states lower the blood alcohol concentration (BAC) illegal limit from 0.08 to 0.05 g/dL (also referred to as the 0.08 law and the 0.05 limit, respectively). In March 2017, this recommendation was signed into law in the State of Utah. OBJECTIVE The objective of this survey is to investigate perceptions regarding enforcement of the 0.05 g/dL BAC limit. METHOD Opinions of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and defense attorneys were obtained through a series of questionnaires and focus groups. RESULTS Survey data were collected from 32 law enforcement officers, 20 prosecutors, and 4 defense attorneys. The participants rated the usefulness of the NHTSA's driving while intoxicated (DWI) driving cues lower for the 0.05 limit than for the 0.08 law. Some of the participants believed that training would be needed in regard to sobriety testing under the 0.05 limit. Participants also stated that adequately preparing for prosecution of drunk drivers would be more difficult under the 0.05 limit. In addition, it was believed that drunk driving cases are more likely to be withdrawn and fewer plea agreements and guilty pleas are likely under the 0.05 limit. Prosecutors were concerned that the 0.05 limit would result in poorly investigated cases and overburden the court system. Defense attorneys were concerned about the social and economic costs of a 0.05 limit. DISCUSSION Overall, it appears that the 0.05 limit is viewed as enforceable and it will save lives; however, the usefulness of the NHTSA DWI Detection Guide and of the standardized field sobriety tests need to be established for lower BACs, and efforts must be made to educate people regarding the relationship between BAC and impairment and impairment and driving with the risk of injury and death. CONCLUSION Though the 0.05 limit offers promise in saving lives, the following issues associated with changing the limit to 0.05 need to be resolved prior to implementation: Validating the sobriety tests for the 0.05 limit; if needed, modifying the sobriety tests to make them effective and valid at the 0.05 limit; and training law enforcement personnel and educating the public regarding the 0.05 limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dary D Fiorentino
- a Alliant International University , Department of Industrial/Organizational Psychology , Alhambra , California
- b DF Consulting , Van Nuys , California
| | - Brian D Martin
- a Alliant International University , Department of Industrial/Organizational Psychology , Alhambra , California
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Scherer M, Romano E, Caldwell S, Taylor E. The impact of retail beverage service training and social host laws on adolescents' DUI rates in San Diego County, California. TRAFFIC INJURY PREVENTION 2018; 19:111-117. [PMID: 28696779 DOI: 10.1080/15389588.2017.1350268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Driving under the influence (DUI) citations are still a serious concern among drivers aged 16-20 years and have been shown to be related to increased risk of fatal and nonfatal crashes. A battery of laws and policies has been enacted to address this concern. Though numerous studies have evaluated these policies, there is still a need for comprehensive policy evaluations that take into account a variety of contextual factors. Previous effort by this research team examined the impact of 20 minimum legal drinking age-21 laws in the state of California, as they impacted alcohol-related crash rates among drivers under 21 years of age while at the same time accounting for alcohol and gas taxes, unemployment rates, sex distribution among drivers, and sobriety checkpoints. The current research seeks to expand this evaluation to the county level (San Diego County). More specifically, we evaluate the impact of measures subject to county control such as retail beverage service (RBS) laws and social host (SH) laws, as well as media coverage, city employment, alcohol outlet density, number of sworn officers, alcohol consumption, and taxation policies, to determine the most effective point of intervention for communities seeking to reduce underage DUI citations. METHODS Annual DUI citation data (2000 to 2013), RBS and SH policies, and city-wide demographic, economic, and environmental information were collected and applied to each of the 20 cities in San Diego County, California. A structural equation model was fit to estimate the relative contribution of the variables of interest to DUI citation rates. RESULTS Alcohol consumption and alcohol outlet density both demonstrated a significant increase in DUI rates, whereas RBS laws, SH laws, alcohol tax rates, media clusters, gas tax rates, and unemployment rates demonstrated significant decreases in DUI rates. CONCLUSIONS At the county level, although RBS laws, SH laws, and media efforts were found to contribute to a significant reduction in DUI rates, the largest significant contributors to reducing DUI rates were alcohol and gas taxation rates. Policy makers interested in reducing DUI rates among teenagers should examine these variables within their specific communities and consider conducting community-specific research to determine the best way to do so. Future efforts should be made to develop models that represent specific communities who are interested in reducing DUI rates among drivers aged 16-20 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Scherer
- a Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) , Calverton , Maryland
| | - Eduardo Romano
- a Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) , Calverton , Maryland
| | - Susan Caldwell
- b Institute for Public Strategies (IPS) , San Diego , California
| | - Eileen Taylor
- a Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE) , Calverton , Maryland
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Drummond-Lage AP, Freitas RGD, Cruz G, Perillo L, Paiva MA, Wainstein AJA. Correlation between blood alcohol concentration (BAC), breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) and psychomotor evaluation in a clinical monitored study of alcohol intake in Brazil. Alcohol 2018; 66:15-20. [PMID: 29277283 DOI: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2017.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Policies that establish maximum blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) or breath alcohol concentration (BrACs) for drivers while driving can reduce traffic accidents by approximately 20%. In Brazil, the National Transit Council (CONTRAN) considers positive BAC and/or BrAC tests or signs of psychomotor capacity alterations as evaluated by a police authority to be an administrative infraction or even a crime. The observed clinical symptoms of alcohol intoxication based on a subject's appearance may not necessarily reflect the quantified BAC and/or BrAC. This study compared the clinical symptoms identified by a medical authority (M) and a non-medical authority (NM) with BAC and BrAC measurements. METHODS Brazilian health volunteers (n = 15) drank ethanol (40% v/v) and, at scheduled times, the subjects underwent blood draws for BAC analysis, were tested for BrAC analysis, and underwent psychomotor alteration assessments performed by M and NM. RESULTS Concentration-time profiles of the BACs and BrACs of the volunteer subjects were generated. The BAC values reached a peak at 60 min and subsequently decreased with time. The average BrAC values decreased with time after ingestion. During the evaluations, M was able to identify a lack of static equilibrium until 240 min and a lack of dynamic equilibrium until 120 min. A lack of upper limb motor coordination was observed until 90 min, and a lack of coordination in the lower limbs was observed only during the first hour. Regarding the tests performed by NM, the signs related to the subjects' appearances were observed more frequently, until 60 min. The other analyzed symptoms were not identified. Naturally, the signs reported by both M and NM disappeared with time. CONCLUSION The evaluations of psychomotor changes performed by Brazilian M were superior to those performed by NM. However, independent of the examiner, at the alcohol concentrations reached in this study, the psychomotor alteration evaluations were ineffective compared with the BAC and BrAC results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Paula Drummond-Lage
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Alameda Ezequiel Dias 275, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Instituto Medico Legal, Rua Nícias Continentino, 1291, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Gomes de Freitas
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Alameda Ezequiel Dias 275, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Instituto Medico Legal, Rua Nícias Continentino, 1291, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Cruz
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Alameda Ezequiel Dias 275, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Luigi Perillo
- Instituto Medico Legal, Rua Nícias Continentino, 1291, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Marco Antonio Paiva
- Instituto Medico Legal, Rua Nícias Continentino, 1291, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Alberto Julius Alves Wainstein
- Faculdade de Ciências Médicas de Minas Gerais, Alameda Ezequiel Dias 275, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil; Instituto Medico Legal, Rua Nícias Continentino, 1291, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
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Rezaee-Zavareh MS, Salamati P, Ramezani-Binabaj M, Saeidnejad M, Rousta M, Shokraneh F, Rahimi-Movaghar V. Alcohol consumption for simulated driving performance: A systematic review. Chin J Traumatol 2017; 20:166-172. [PMID: 28502603 PMCID: PMC5473736 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjtee.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2015] [Revised: 05/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Alcohol consumption can lead to risky driving and increase the frequency of traffic accidents, injuries and mortalities. The main purpose of our study was to compare simulated driving performance between two groups of drivers, one consumed alcohol and the other not consumed, using a systematic review. METHODS In this systematic review, electronic resources and databases including Medline via Ovid SP, EMBASE via Ovid SP, PsycINFO via Ovid SP, PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAL) via EBSCOhost were comprehensively and systematically searched. The randomized controlled clinical trials that compared simulated driving performance between two groups of drivers, one consumed alcohol and the other not consumed, were included. Lane position standard deviation (LPSD), mean of lane position deviation (MLPD), speed, mean of speed deviation (MSD), standard deviation of speed deviation (SDSD), number of accidents (NA) and line crossing (LC) were considered as the main parameters evaluating outcomes. After title and abstract screening, the articles were enrolled for data extraction and they were evaluated for risk of biases. RESULTS Thirteen papers were included in our qualitative synthesis. All included papers were classified as high risk of biases. Alcohol consumption mostly deteriorated the following performance outcomes in descending order: SDSD, LPSD, speed, MLPD, LC and NA. Our systematic review had troublesome heterogeneity. CONCLUSION Alcohol consumption may decrease simulated driving performance in alcohol consumed people compared with non-alcohol consumed people via changes in SDSD, LPSD, speed, MLPD, LC and NA. More well-designed randomized controlled clinical trials are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Payman Salamati
- Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Mina Saeidnejad
- Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Branch, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mansoureh Rousta
- Students' Scientific Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farhad Shokraneh
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Iranian Center for Evidence-based Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Vafa Rahimi-Movaghar
- Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Roberts W, Fillmore MT. Curbing the DUI offender's self-efficacy to drink and drive: A laboratory study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2017; 172:73-79. [PMID: 28152449 PMCID: PMC5309158 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) are at high risk to reoffend. One reason for this high rate of recidivism among DUI offenders is that these individuals systematically underestimate the degree to which alcohol impairs their ability to drive. This study compared perceived and objective driving ability following alcohol and performance feedback in drivers with and without a history of DUI. METHOD Adult drivers with (n=20) and without (n=20) a history of DUI arrest attended two dose challenge sessions where they received 0.64g/kg alcohol or placebo, completed a simulated driving task, and provided measures of subjective impairment. They attended a third retesting session where they received feedback that they were impaired by alcohol. They received 0.64g/kg alcohol and their objective and perceived driving ability was retested. RESULTS Both groups showed significant impairment of driving performance following 0.64g/kg alcohol compared to placebo. DUI offenders rated themselves as less impaired than controls. After performance feedback, self-reported impairment during the alcohol retest increased for DUI offenders but not for controls. There was no effect of performance feedback on objective driving ability. CONCLUSIONS These results support the notion that under alcohol DUI offenders characteristically perceive themselves as better able to drive than non-offenders. These perceptions can be tempered by performance feedback. To the extent that perceived ability to drive safely after drinking contributes to DUI and its recidivism, feedback geared towards lowering this self-efficacy could reduce willingness to engage in this behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Roberts
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, 2 Church Street South, Suite 109, New Haven CT, 06519
| | - Mark T. Fillmore
- University of Kentucky, Department of Psychology, 115 Kastle Hall, University of Kentucky, Lexington KY, 40506,Corresponding author: Telephone: (859) 257-4728, Fax: (859) 323-1979,
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12
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Voas R, Fell J. Commentary on Yao et al. (2016): Enforcement uniquely predicts reductions in alcohol-impaired crash fatalities. Addiction 2016; 111:454-5. [PMID: 26860245 DOI: 10.1111/add.13275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R Voas
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 11720 Beltsville Drive, Suite 900, Calverton, Maryland, 20705, USA.
| | - J Fell
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, 11720 Beltsville Drive, Suite 900, Calverton, Maryland, 20705, USA
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13
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Romano E, Scherer M, Fell J, Taylor E. A comprehensive examination of U.S. laws enacted to reduce alcohol-related crashes among underage drivers. JOURNAL OF SAFETY RESEARCH 2015; 55:213-221. [PMID: 26683563 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To effectively address concerns associated with alcohol-related traffic laws, communities must apply comprehensive and well-coordinated interventions that account for as many factors as possible. The goal of the current research article is to examine and evaluate the simultaneous contribution of 20 underage drinking laws and 3 general driving safety laws, while accounting for demographic, economic, and environmental variables. METHODS Annual fatal crash data (1982 to 2010), policies, and demographic, economic, and environmental information were collected and applied to each of the 51 jurisdictions (50 states and the District of Columbia). A structural equation model was fit to estimate the relative contribution of the variables of interest to alcohol-related crashes. RESULTS As expected, economic factors (e.g., unemployment rate, cost of alcohol) and alcohol outlet density were found highly relevant to the amount of alcohol teens consume and therefore to teens' impaired driving. Policies such as those regulating the age of bartenders, sellers, or servers; social host civil liability laws; dram shop laws; internal possession of alcohol laws; and fake identification laws do not appear to have the same impact on teens' alcohol-related crash ratios as other types of policies such as those regulating alcohol consumption or alcohol outlet density. CONCLUSIONS This effort illustrates the need for comprehensive models of teens' impaired driving. After simultaneously accounting for as many factors as possible, we found that in general (for most communities) further reductions in alcohol-related crashes among teens might be more rapidly achieved from efforts focused on reducing teens' drinking rather than on reducing teens' driving. Future efforts should be made to develop models that represent specific communities. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Based on this and community-specific models, simulation programs can be developed to help communities understand and visualize the impact of various policy alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Romano
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), 11720 Beltsville Dr., Suite 900, Calverton, MD 20705, United States.
| | - Michael Scherer
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), 11720 Beltsville Dr., Suite 900, Calverton, MD 20705, United States
| | - James Fell
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), 11720 Beltsville Dr., Suite 900, Calverton, MD 20705, United States
| | - Eileen Taylor
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation (PIRE), 11720 Beltsville Dr., Suite 900, Calverton, MD 20705, United States
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Fell JC, Scherer M, Voas R. The Utility of Including the Strengths of Underage Drinking Laws in Determining Their Effect on Outcomes. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2015; 39:1528-37. [PMID: 26148047 DOI: 10.1111/acer.12779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To control underage drinking in the United States, which has been associated with an estimated 5,000 deaths and 2.6 million injuries or other harm annually, each state has developed a unique set of laws. Previous research examining these laws' effectiveness has frequently focused on the laws' existence without considering variance in sanctions, enforcement, or exemptions. METHODS We scored 20 minimum legal drinking age 21 (MLDA-21) laws for their strengths and weaknesses based on (i) sanctions for violating the law, (ii) exceptions or exemptions affecting application, and (iii) provisions affecting the law or enforcement. We then replicated a 2009 study of the effects of 6 MLDA-21 laws in 3 different ways (using identical structural equation modeling): Study 1-8 additional years of data, no law strengths; Study 2-years from the original study, added law strengths; Study 3-additional years, law strengths, serving as an update of the 6 laws' effects. RESULTS In all 3 studies-and the original study-keg registration laws were associated with both an unexpected significant increase (+11%, p < 0.001) in underage drinking-driver ratios and a notable 25% reduction in per capita beer consumption-opposing results that are difficult to explain. In Study 3, possession and purchase laws were associated with a significant decrease in underage drinking-driver fatal crash ratios (-4.9%, p < 0.001; -3.6%, p < 0.001, respectively). Similarly, zero tolerance and use and lose laws were associated with reductions in underage drinking-driver ratios (-2.8%, p < 0.001; -5.3%, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Including strengths and weaknesses of underage drinking laws is important when examining their effects on various outcomes as the model fit statistics indicated. We suggest that this will result in more accurate and more reliable estimates of the impact of the laws on various outcome measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- James C Fell
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Calverton, Maryland
| | - Michael Scherer
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Calverton, Maryland
| | - Robert Voas
- Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Calverton, Maryland
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