Accidents to intoxicated pedestrians in South Australia

Abstract

This report reviews the literature on alcohol-intoxicated pedestrian casualties, concentrating on possible countermeasures. It also presents data on the blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of pedestrian accident victims in South Australia, though all the datasets used have limitations (BAC is unknown in many cases). In South Australia and elsewhere, the alcohol levels of many pedestrians killed and injured are very high indeed. A number of measures are available for preventing intoxicated pedestrian accidents, but it is unlikely that any would have a large effect on the total number of pedestrian casualties. In most respects, improved safety of drunk pedestrians will come about by making the environment safer for all pedestrians, drunk or sober. The measure that would be expected to be most effective is a reduction of speed limits.