Night-time drink driving in Adelaide: 1987-1997

Abstract

This report documents the methods and results of six night-time (10pm-3am) roadside breath alcohol surveys conducted on over 40,000 drivers by the NHMRC Road Accident Research Unit in the Adelaide metropolitan area between 1987 and 1997. The percentage of drivers on the road with alcohol levels at or above 0.01, 0.05 and 0.08 g1100mL are reported, together with breakdowns by the sex and age of the driver, time of day, and day of week. A generally uniform decrease over time was found at all BAC levels, particularly among the young and among males. Drink driving was found to increase later in the night with peak drink driving occurring on Wednesdays followed by Thursdays and Fridays. Self reported intentions and the perception of the likelihood of being caught by the police if drinking and driving, together with driver and passenger seatbelt usage, are also reported. An increasing percentage of drivers stated that they were less likely to drink and drive and more likely to be caught by police over the course of the surveys. Both driver and passenger seatbelt wearing rates are currently very high.