Drug and drink driving by university students: an exploration of the influence of attitudes

The present study aimed to gather information on drug and alcohol use, the prevalence of drink and drug driving and attitudes to both in an undergraduate university cohort (n = 275). Further, the study aimed to contribute information to aid intervention program development by determining predictors of drink and drug driving behavior. The study examines both drug and alcohol use and the influence of attitudes toward driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. Results indicated that significant proportions of university students are engaging in the risk-taking behavior of driving under the influence of drugs (25%), alcohol (14%), or both (8%). The results suggest that attitudes toward driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs are a strong predictor of engaging in the behavior. Peer influence emerged as a major aspect of attitudes. The results of this study provide an important beginning to understanding drink and drug driving and the influence of attitudes in the university student body.     

最大限度保护劳动者的健康和权益--访卫生部卫生法制与监督司副司长苏志

2001年10月27日,江泽民主席签署第60号主席令,颁布了《中华人民共和国职业病防治法》。该法将于2002年5月1日起实施,广大劳动者的健康和权益从此将受到法律的有效保护。目前我国的职业病状况如何?如何贯彻落实《职业病防治法》?就这些劳动者关心的问题,苏志副司长回答了     

英国职业卫生法规、监管及统计体系

英国按照《职业安全和卫生法(1974)》,以职业安全卫生执行局(HSE)为执法和调查统计的主管机构,建立了以RIDDOR95规程为基础的企业雇主对其作业场所职业卫生记录和报告制度,同时HSE采取多种形式的政府主动调查,形成了较为完善的职业卫生调查统计体系。目前,我国职业卫生的调查统计体系尚未形成。以系统的方法和思路,从英国的职业卫生法规、监管入手,分析其调查统计体系,并采用对比分析的方法,将英国的体系与美国进行对比,学习工业发达国家的共同经验,为我国建立职业卫生统计体系提供借鉴。研究认为,上层法律及配套规范齐全、形成了政府主动调查与企业雇主主动记录和报告相结合的统计方式,以及调查统计数据定期向公众发布和实现信息共享是英美两国体系的共同特征。     

美国职业卫生法规、监管及统计体系

美国是工业发达国家,是世界上最早建立“职业安全和卫生法”的国家之一。基于该法,美国确立以职业安全卫生监察局(OSHA)为执法机构、职业安全卫生复审委员会(OSHRC)为监督机构的职业卫生监管体系;同时,以劳工统计局(BLS)为统计主管机构,建立以“1904规范”为基础的企业雇主对其作业场所职业卫生记录和报告制度,并辅以两种形式的政府主动调查,形成了自下至上和自上至下相结合的调查统计体系。目前,我国职业卫生的调查统计体系尚未形成。因此,需要从工业发达国家的职业卫生法规、监管入手,以系统的方法和思路,分析其调查统计体系,学习工业发达国家的经验。研究结果认为美国的职业卫生统计体系具有上层法律及相关条例完备、组织体系职责分明、形成了政府主动调查与企业记录报告相结合的调查统计体系等明显的特点。     

Health, safety, self-regulation and the older driver: It's not just a matter of age

Problem

The purpose of this research was to examine the impact of age and health on patterns of driving and self-regulation among older adults who still drive.

Method

This analysis presents the results of a nationwide survey of drivers who are 50 + (N = 3,824, 53.11% response rate), focusing on questions about the impact of their self-reported health on attitudes toward and self-regulation of driving.

Results

The data indicate that as age increases, so too does reported self-regulation of driving, increasing sharply among those ages 70 and older. The data also indicate that respondent's reported confidence in driving and their enjoyment of driving decline as they age. Health status bears a significant relationship with all three of these variables, positively related to confidence in driving skills and to enjoyment in driving, but negatively related to self-regulation reports. As self-reported health declines, respondent's report engages in greater voluntary restrictions of their driving.

Discussion

All too often, the driving decision is linked primarily to chronological age. Analysis done here indicates that age alone is not the best indicator of self-regulation and how older adults change their driving behaviors.

Summary

This research presents the results of a nationwide survey of 50+ drivers and their self-reported driving, self-regulation behaviors, and health status. Strong support was found for the argument that chronological age is not an adequate measure of self-regulating behaviors and driver safety among those 50+. In particular, it was found that a person's health status and the interaction between age and health are essential considerations in the decisions around self-regulation and driving. People tend to self-regulate more with age, but the effect becomes much more pronounced as health status declines.

Impact on industry

In the coming years, if older adults can't get to where they want to go and continue to be viable consumers in our national fabric, all industries will eventually suffer. Transportation is a key component to the nation's social contract with older individuals and their families.