Ethanol among randomly controlled drivers

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_ABEBBC0BD7C0
Type
Inproceedings: an article in a conference proceedings.
Publication sub-type
Abstract (Abstract): shot summary in a article that contain essentials elements presented during a scientific conference, lecture or from a poster.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Ethanol among randomly controlled drivers
Title of the conference
Tri-Annual Meeting of the International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety
Author(s)
Augsburger M., Jagusiewicz A., Mangin P., Cornuz J., Vaucher P., Donzé N., Favrat B.
Address
Oslo, Norway, August 22-26, 2010
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2010
Language
english
Abstract
Objectives: Ethanol is well-known to impair driving ability. The major aim of this study was to evaluate the number of
drivers driving under the influence of ethanol in a population of randomly controlled drivers.
Methods: 1016 drivers were randomly controlled at 27 different locations in Western Switzerland from October
2006 to April 2008. Drivers were controlled for alcohol consumption with a breathalyzer according to the
Swiss Road traffic law. If the result was equal or higher than an equivalent of a blood alcohol concentration
of 0.8 g/kg, a blood sample was taken; otherwise, a saliva sample was obtained.
Blood and saliva were analysed for ethanol by Head-space gas chromatography coupled with a FID detector.
Results: Among the controlled drivers, men (69%) predominated over female (31%). The mean age was 41 (range:
16 90). For 968 drivers (95.3%) ethanol was not detected in blood or saliva. These drivers were not under
the influence of ethanol. Ethanol was detected in saliva or blood of 48 drivers (4.7%). Among these drivers,
blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was above the legal limit of 0.8 g/kg (serious offence) in 14 cases
(1.4% of the total population). BAC were in the range of 0.91 to 2.43 g/kg (mean: 1.32 g/kg, median: 1.11
g/kg). Among these 14 cases, men (13 cases, 93%) were over represented. No ethanol was found in the population
of truck drivers (17 cases). 986 drivers were car drivers and 46 of them have drunk ethanol (5%).
13 bikers were controlled and 2 of them have drunk ethanol (15%).
Conclusion: Driving under the influence of ethanol concerned about 5% of a population of randomly controlled drivers,
and 1,4% of the drivers had a blood alcohol concentration higer than 0.8 g/kg (legale limit for a serious
offence).
Create date
24/02/2011 11:48
Last modification date
20/08/2019 15:15
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