Drink Driving. Getting the facts right on

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1 Getting the facts right on Drink Driving Drink with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is a risky behaviour that can harm not only the driver but also third parties, and thus impact society at large. Combined efforts by industry, public authorities, and citizens have successfully led to growing awareness of the risks linked to ing under the influence of alcohol. As a result, the number of accidents and fatalities has decreased in many EU countries over the past 10 years. However, efforts should be sustained to educate people about the dangers of in order to further reduce alcohol related traffic accidents linked to such behaviour. This document aims to provide an effective toolkit to address questions on. K E Y P O I N T S The effects of Drink impairs judgment and affects the ability to drive safely Most EU countries allow a 0.5 g/l BAC A third of EU Member States implement a stricter BAC level for novice drivers as they are more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol It is estimated that deaths attributed to in the EU have decreased by about 5.7% on average each year over the past ten years More efforts are needed towards the adoption of common methodology and definition by member states to make A combined approach of, enforcement of the law and public awareness campaigns are key to tackle alcohol related deaths on the road More restrictive BAC levels do not automatically reduce the number of road safety deaths. Sanctions such as fines, license suspensions and police presence are more effective than simply reducing further legal BAC levels Successful public/awareness campaigns such as the designated driver have a real impact 1

2 alcohol 5 & K E Y P O I N T S Drink impairs judgment and affects the ability to drive safely Most EU countries allow a 0.5 g/l BAC A third of EU member states implement a stricter BAC level for novice drivers as they are more vulnerable to the effects of alcohol Drinking before affects the driver s judgment and ability to drive safely: There is strong evidence that someone s ability to drive is affected when they have alcohol in their blood (NICE Report 2010). Drivers have up to: 6 times greater risk of dying in a vehicle crash with a BAC between 0.5 and 0.8g/l than those under 0.5; and 11 times greater risk of dying in a vehicle crash with a BAC between 0.8 and 1 Most EU countries allow a BAC at 0.5 g/l., which is also what the European Commission recommends Current BAC level in the EU Relative rate of fatal injury and BAC level Data source: DG MOVE, EC, 2010 Source: Keall, M., Frith, W. & Patterson, T. (2004) Not only the risk increases with BAC level but novice/young drivers are more vulnerable. BAC limits for novice drivers In its October 2006 Communication on an EU strategy, the European Commission invited the Member States to consider a zero BAC limit for young and novice drivers. A third of countries have now a reduced BAC for novice drivers 2

3 K E Y P O I N T S It is estimated that deaths attributed to in the EU have decreased by about 5.7% on average each year since 2001 More efforts are needed towards the adoption of common methodologies and definition by Member States to make comparable data on fatalities available Number of traffic deaths in Europe in 2001 and 2009 (all causes) The average number of EU road fatalities (all causes) has decreased since Data reveal a 36% decrease between 2001 and 2009, with some countries achieving higher reductions, e.g.in Latvia (54%, Spain (51%), Estonia and Portugal (50%). In its 2010 report on alcoholrelated indicators, the Committee on Alcohol Data, Indicators and Definitions pleas for common methodologies and definitions across Europe for more comparable data on road fatalities Data source: EU Commission (2010) Total number of Road Fatalities 2001 Total number of Road Fatalities 2009 The number of deaths in Europe also decreased Since 2001, deaths attributed to in the EU have decreased by about 5.7% on average each year, somewhat faster than other road deaths at about 4.2% per year 2001 (average ) = 1 Source: ETSC (2012), Drink, towards zero tolerance, p.16 3

4 K E Y P O I N T S A combined approach of, strict and effective enforcement of the law and public awareness campaigns are key to tackle alcohol related deaths on the road More restrictive BAC levels do not automatically reduce the number of road safety deaths. Deterring sanctions such as fines, license suspensions and police presence are more important than reducing further legal BAC levels Peer reviewed studies (Swedler et al, 2004) find that dramatic decreases in in the industrialised world following growing public concern during the 1980s were the result of a combination of: 1. Right level of + 2. enforcement of the law + 3. Successful awareness campaigns We need to act on all fronts: education first, followed by prevention in particular with the most vulnerable groups and sanction, since it is not acceptable that a minority of drivers could put the lives of fellow citizens on the roads at risk. (Former French Interior Minister) 1. The right level of Enforcing a BAC limit for is essential to reduce alcohol related harm on EU roads. While most EU countries have adopted a 0.5 limit, some argue that this is not enough and that the EU should push to enforce a general BAC level at 0 or 0.2 for all drivers. However, data show that in Europe, a stricter BAC level does not automatically reduce the number of road fatalities. For example, in 2008, 20% of fatal accidents were attributed to in Sweden and 17% in the UK despite the fact that Sweden enforces a stricter BAC limit than the EU average with 0.2 while the UK has the lowest EU restriction with 0.8. Data source: WHO (2008) Drinking and laws Report Figures reveal that the vast majority of drivers involved in fatal accidents have a BAC level well above 0.5. BAC level proportion of road casualties in Canada in 2003 reveal that 90% of those had a BAC above 0.5 Breath tests carried out in Belgium throughout 2010 confirmed the same as in Canada. Among the 3.6% tests found BAC positive, 1.2% ranged between 0.5 and 0.8 but the double above 0.8. In Portugal, 16% of positive tests revealed a BAC level between 0.5 and 0.79 g/l and 62% were above 1.2 g/l. Further decreasing BAC level would have no impact on these drivers. Increased perception of the risks to be controlled by police forces associated with deterring sanctions would be more effective Drink The state of New York introduced the first laws in There was however no set definition of what level of inebriation qualified as drunk. The first practical roadside breath testing device designed for the police was invented in 1938 and called the drunkometer. In Europe, pocketsize breath testing devices started to be used by the police back in the 1970s. 4

5 3. enforcement of the law is key Deterring sanctions Fines and license suspensions dissuade people from breaching the law (Freeman et al 2009). Different studies find that administrative license revocation (Kaplan et al 2006) was associated with a 9.6% reduction in alcoholrelated fatal accidents. Accompanying targeted interventions (such as alcolocks that shut down the vehicle when a measured amount of alcohol is detected and brief interventions) for repeat offenders, have also been helpful. Finland and Belgium have introduced alcolocks programmes directed at a small minority of drivers with a high risk profile, in order to engage them to think about their ing and behaviour. A number of EU countries are looking at the Belgian experience in adopting this new law. Gradual introduction of alcolocks for recidivist offenders and also for commercial and public transport drivers, including bus drivers transporting children, will reduce the high toll of casualties Increasing the number of controls on roads at risky times and places. Police presence on roads and making people aware of that presence have an impact on drivers behavior (Dione et al 2004; Fell et al 2008). In Italy, the number of drivers tested with a BAC over the limit dropped from 15% to 6% after controls on roads increased from 250,000 to 800,000 per year (Taggi et al, 2009). Random breath testing, often implemented in conjunction with awareness campaigns, has a significant impact on and alcoholrelated crashes (Beck et al 2009). Publicising arrests and sanctions. Drivers must be aware of the law and understand it (Dione et al 2004). They must know the risks they incur when over the limit. Increasing the likelihood of being arrested and of being severely reprimanded dissuades people to and drive. Numerous evidences show that the fear of being caught is associated with decreased risk taking while under alcohol influence (McCarttet al 2009; Vanlaar 2008; Beck et al 2009, Mathews et al 2009; Freeman et al 2009). 2. Successful public and private awareness campaigns should be encouraged Involvement of stakeholders in public debates. Public and publicized debates focusing on the legal and social consequences associated with would help deliver and integrate the message. Changing behaviour takes time, and sustained policy and funding are therefore important. The British government slashed spending on ad campaigns from 1,146,547 in 2009 to just 49,937 in 2010 despite their documented success, resulting in 15% more young people being arrested for in 2010, see below: Total breath tests Positive tests Rate of positive tests UK Summer and drug campaign (under 25s) ,321 34,285 27,147 21, % 5.94% 6.43% 7.4% It is important to note that data on must be carefully interpreted as the increase in positive tests coincides with a decrease in the number of tests carried in the UK in 2011 and more effective targeting, resulting in a higher percentage of positive tests but in a decrease in absolute numbers of positive tests too. Sources: decline becomes increase & youth up 15/ 5

6 K E Y P O I N T Successful public and private awareness campaigns such as the designated driver have a real impact Examples of successful national public and private awareness campaigns Belgium has successfully sustained a combined approach of policy and enforcement with the BOB awareness campaign funded by Arnoldus/IBSR running since 1995 and has registered the lowest rate of BAC positive tests with 3.6% in In November 2011, more than 1,000 people were interviewed, among which 35% confirmed that they do not if they drive while 51% declared that they will be BOB during Xmas 2011these Christmas holidays For more information: Following the success of the Belgian experience, the EU Commission supported Pan European designated driver campaigns launched between 2002 and 2006 in an increasing number of countries (13 in 2006). These campaigns were developed and still run in partnership with the alcohol producers. Impact evaluations reveal an increasing awareness of the risks and an increasing use of the designated driver concept or alternative transportation. For more information: Portugal : Drive me 100% Cool Portugal has also invested heavily in prevention campaigns addressed to the youth segment of the population such as the Designated driver 100% cool established in 2002 by the Associação Nacional de Bebidas Espirituosas (ANEBE). Its success is highlighted by the fact that 95% of 215,000 BAC tests carried between January and May 2010 were negative. According to the ANSR (Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária) the years old are no longer the highest risk group in terms of road accidents and fatalities since Results of the latest evaluation conducted in March 2009 (on 842 participants) showed that out of the 7 in 10 who had an alcoholic beverage on a night out: 63% consumed very little or moderately 26% chose a designated driver The latest statistics on released by the police, working in cooperation with ANEBE during the summer of 2011, reveal that the number of young people aged 18 to 30 years old with a BAC 0 has increased to nearly 80%. Out of 1,323 drivers tested, only 11 had a BAC between 0,80 and 1,19 and 15 between 0,50 and 0,79. In total, 266 young drivers had a positive BAC but were below the legal limit. The number of visits to the Portuguese website Drive Me 100% Cool has recently increased significantly. Out of the approximately 6,000 visits to the website, almost half were direct hits, revealing the increasing awareness of the website and brand. For more information: 6

7 BAC status in Europe in Europe In Spain, the Federación de Bebidas Espirituosas (FEBE) launched the designated driver campaign Los Nocturnos. The objective is to raise awareness of the dangers of among young people and to introduce the designated driver concept as normal behaviour. The 2010 campaign reached a significant audience through a mass media campaign including: A series of 10 events during which 1,220 people were designated drivers; A website on the campaign which received 61,338 visits. A 2010 survey of 717 drivers and others about the campaign revealed that (70% between 16 and 25 years old): 7 out of 10 young people know the role of the designated driver. That knowledge has increased by 46% since the beginning of the campaign in 2003; 61% of young people said they never and drive; The regular habit of do not and drive has increased by 23% since 2003, with over half of the sample saying they have adopted it; 71% of the people interviewed have the intention to adopt the role of designated driver in the future, an increase of 26% since 2003; 79% of the sample said they refuse to be driven home by a drunk; The awareness of the dangers of has increased significantly. For more information: Support from the on trade. Already back in 1985, Oregon State required training for all alcohol servers, which helped to reduce the number of road deaths by 25% (Holder et al, 1994; Dejoong et al 1998). The intention was to help servers develop the knowledge and skills that support responsible alcohol service. This approach, also tested in California (Voas et al 1997), is ly being tested in Poland by the UN Global Road Safety Partnership to reduce fatalities. In Poland, a multi stakeholder approach combining public awareness with training of staff in bars and clubs has resulted in a 39% reduction in drive crashes over four years in the pilot region of Olsztyn. In 2009 and 2010 the training was completed by 3,448 people, and since 2008 nearly 4,500 bar and club staff have been trained in total. For more information: Poland «Responsible Service of alcohol» Spain : Los Noc Turnos 7

8 Bibliography Beck, K. et al (2009) A comparison of drivers with high versus low perceived risk of being caught and arrested for under the influence of alcohol. Traffic Inj Prev, 10(4), Department for Transport Reported Road Casualties in Great Britain: 2009 estimates for accidents involving illegal alcohol levels. Accessible at: Department for Transport Road Casualties Great Britain: 2008 Annual Report DeJong W., Hingson R. (1998) Strategies to reduce under the influence of alcohol, Annual Review of Public Health, 19: Dionne, G., et al (2004) La perception des risques d'accident et d'arrestation lors de conduite avec facultés affaiblies, HEC Montréal, UQAM et Université de Montréal, Cahier de recherche ETSC (2010), 4th Road Safety PIN Report, Road Safety Target in Sight: Making up for lost time, National statistics provided by the PIN Panelists in each country, using each country s own method of identifying alcohol related deaths ETSC Factsheet on Drink Driving in Belgium, January 2011 Eurobarometer 2007 Attitudes towards Alcohol Report European Commission DG MOVE, Care database 2010 Fell, Tippetts, Levy (2008) Evaluation of seven publicized enforcement demonstration programs to reduce impaired : Georgia, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Indiana, and Michigan, Ann Adv Automot Med Oct; 52:23 38 Freeman, J., & Watson, B. (2009) Drink deterrents and self reported offending behaviours among a sample of Queensland motorists, J Safety Res, 40(2), Holder H., Wagenaar A.C (1994). Mandated server training and reduced alcohol involved traffic crashes: a time series analysis of the Oregon experience, Accident Analysis and Prevention, 26 (1) Kaplan S, Prato CG (2007) Impact of BAC limit reduction on different population segments: a Poisson fixed effect analysis, Accident Analysis & Prevention, 39(6), Keall, M., Frith, W. & Patterson, T. (2004) The influence of alcohol, age and number of passengers on the night time rate of driver fatal injury in New Zealand, in: crash Analysis & Prevention, Vol. 36 p Matthews, A., et al (2009) Factors associated with under the influence of alcohol and drugs among an Australian sample of regular ecstasy users, Drug Alcohol Depend, 100(1 2), McCartt, A. et al (2009) Effects of a college community campaign on ing and with a strong enforcement component, Traffic Inj Prev, 10(2), NICE Centre for Public Health Excellence, Review of effectiveness of laws limiting blood alcohol concentration levels to reduce alcohol related road injuries and deaths, Final Report, March Swedler, B. et al (2004) Worldwide trends in alcohol and drug impaired, in: Traffic Injury Prevention Volume 5, Issue 3. p Taggi, F., Macchia, T. (2009) Impact of increasing number of road alcohol controls on the prevalence of under the influence in Italy, Environment and Trauma Section, Istituto Superiore di Sanità National Institute of Health, Rome, Ann Ig 21, Vanlaar, W. (2008). Less is more: the influence of traffic count on ing and behaviour, Accid Anal Prev, 40(3), Voas R. (1997) Drinking and prevention in the community: program planning and implementation, Addiction, 92 (2) Voas R.et al (1997) The effect of ing and interventions on alcohol involved traffic crashes within a comprehensive community trial, Addiction, 92 (2) WHO (2008) Drinking and laws, enforcement and road traffic deaths attributed to alcohol in countries in the WHO European Region Getting the facts right prepared by spiritseurope prepared by CEPS the European Spirits Organisation, and the European Forum for Responsible Drinking (EFRD) spiritseurope rue Belliard, 12 Bte Brussels, Belgium Tel: + 32 (2) info@spirits.eu November November spirits.eu