The hazardous (mis)perception of Self-estimated Alcohol intoxication and Fitness to drivE—an avoidable health risk: the SAFE randomised trial

Harm Reduction Journal

Jana-K. Dieks¹  Kai O. Hensel²  Jöran Köchling²  Stefan Wirth²  Berit Geis³  Cho-Ming Chao⁴ 

[1] Department of Paediatric Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, University Medical Centre, Georg-August-University;Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Health, Centre for Clinical and Translational Research (CCTR), Helios University Medical Centre Wuppertal, Witten/Herdecke University;Institute of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (IMBE), Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University;University Medical Center Rostock, Department of Paediatrics, University of Rostock;

关键词: Perceived alcohol intoxication;    Road safety;    Public health concern;    Alcohol-related road traffic accident;    Driving under the influence;    DUI;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12954-021-00567-4

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background Worldwide, alcohol-related road traffic accidents represent a major avoidable health risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of self-estimating the degree of acute alcohol intoxication regarding the legal driving limit, and to identify risk factors for misjudgement. Methods In this prospective randomised controlled crossover trial, 90 social drinkers (mean age 23.9 ± 3.5 years, 50% female) consumed either beer or wine. Study group subjects were made aware when exceeding the legal driving limit (BrAC = 0.05%). Controls received no information about their BrAC. For crossover, beer or wine were consumed in the opposite order. Results 39–53% of all participants exceeded the legal driving limit whilst under the impression to be still permitted to drive. Self-estimation was significantly more accurate on study day 2 (p = 0.009). Increasing BrAC positively correlated with self-estimation inaccuracy, which was reproducible during crossover. Multiple regression analysis revealed fast drinking and higher alcohol levels as independent risk factors for inaccurate self-estimation. Conclusions Social drinkers are commonly unaware of exceeding the legal driving limit when consuming alcohol. Self-estimating alcohol intoxication can be improved through awareness. Dedicated awareness programs, social media campaigns and government advice communications should be utilised to address this avoidable hazard. Trial registration The trial was registered prospectively at the Witten/Herdecke University Ethics Committee (trial registration number 140/2016 on 04/11/2016) and at the DRKS—German Clinical Trials Register (trial registration number DRKS00015285 on 08/22/2018—Retrospectively registered). Trial protocol can be accessed online.

【 授权许可】

Unknown