Objective: The objective of this study was to understand the social context and circumstances surrounding alcohol-impaired driving prior to fatal crash involvement for drivers with an illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC ≥ 0.05 g/100 ml or 0.00 g/100 ml for restricted license holders).
Methods: Coroners' case reports investigating fatal crashes in South Australia over a 3-year period (2008–2010) were examined. The personal and crash characteristics of drivers with an illegal BAC were compared with those who had a legal BAC. For each driver with an illegal BAC, information was recorded including characteristics of last trip, location and social context of alcohol consumption, quantity and type of alcohol consumed, BAC level, presence of drugs, perceived alcohol intoxication, and alcohol dependence. Official traffic offense records were also obtained.
Results: Of the 284 fatal crashes included in the study, 34% (n = 95) involved a driver or rider with an illegal BAC. Prior to the crash, alcohol was most frequently consumed by drivers in rural areas, within private homes, and was part of normal social activities. Drivers recorded a high level of alcohol impairment, with a mean BAC of 0.173 g/100 ml and a level of alcohol dependence that was above the Australian national average (7.4 vs. 3.9%). In addition, 23% of drivers were known to be experiencing psychological stress at the time of the crash. The results also confirm that drink driving recidivism continues to be a significant problem, with 44% of drivers recording at least one prior alcohol driving offense.
Conclusions: Alcohol-impaired driving continues to be a leading cause of fatal crashes. The popularity of drinking at home, particularly in rural areas, has implications for police enforcement strategies and suggests that drink driving interventions that focus on community values and looking after friends might be beneficial. Importantly, the study highlights the need for a broader holistic approach to reduce the high levels of alcohol consumption and alcohol dependence underlying drink driving behavior. 相似文献
利用孢粉记录追踪过去人类活动历史及其环境效应的研究较少。本文选取青藏高原28处地层化石孢粉序列,采用直接提取和集成方法获得568条具有年代的伴人孢粉(禾本科、石竹科、杨属、十字花科、委陵菜属、车前属、紫菀属、藜科、狼毒属)数据,经标准化处理后建立高原4个分区的人类活动指数。同时结合本区已有研究资料,探讨了中晚全新世以来的人类活动历史。研究表明:(1)Ⅰ区东北区,6.0~5.3 ka B.P.早期人类已开始活动,但低水平的生产方式对植被影响较弱;5.3~4.5 ka B.P.人类活动得到扩展,环境效应开始显现;4.5~3.5 ka B.P.人类活动强度明显增强,加剧了对植被的破坏;3.5~2.0 ka B.P.随着人类活动的进一步加强,导致过度放牧、森林面积减少及风沙活动增强。(2)Ⅱ区东南区,5.0 ka B.P.左右人类活动的环境效应开始显现;4.5~3.5 ka B.P.植被受人为干扰显著;3.5~2.0 ka B.P.人类活动扩张至高海拔地区,对植被影响范围随之扩大;(3)Ⅲ区西南区,5.7~4.5 ka B.P.农业生产活动开始且得到发展,环境效应逐渐凸出;4.5~2.0 ka B.P.人类活动进一步增强,对植被影响亦进一步加剧;(4)Ⅳ区西北无人区,受资料所限并未充分讨论,但已有研究表明,全新世早中期本区已有人类进行狩猎采集活动。 相似文献