Involvement of 21-26 year olds in drink-driving behaviour

Monash University Accident Research Centre - Report #211 - 2003

Authors: Senserrick, T., Hoareau, E., Lough, B., Diamantopoulou, K. & Fotheringham, M.

Abstract

This project examined the involvement of 21-26 year-old Victorian drivers in drink-driving behaviour following concerns of their over-representation in alcohol-related, fatal and serious casualty crashes. It is during this age range that Victorian probationary drivers, subject to a zero BAC, generally progress to a full licence, with a corresponding increase in BAC limit to 0.05. Therefore, this transition was of particular interest. The study examined the involvement of fully-licensed, 21-26 year-old drivers (termed 'novices') in drink-driving behaviour relative to younger probationary drivers (18-20 year olds) and older experienced drivers (31-40 year olds), including by gender and metropolitan/rural splits. Two complementary approaches were applied. First, fatal and serious casualty crash data from 1993-2000 were examined. Analyses confirmed that novices were, in more recent years, over-represented in alcohol-related fatal crashes in comparison to the other age/experience groups. Analyses by gender and region showed that males in both the novice and probationary groups were over-represented in serious casualty crashes regardless of region. In contrast, for experienced drivers, males in rural regions were consistently over-represented in serious casualty crashes except in 1996 when males in both regions were equally represented. Second, a telephone survey explored related issues: driving, drinking and drink-driving exposure, drink-driving-related awareness, knowledge, planning behaviour, strategy use and reasoning, including specific questions regarding the transition from a zero to 0.05 BAC. Findings suggest that exposure partly explains the over-representation of male novices, but not that of females. Awareness and knowledge was high for all groups. Getting someone else to drive was a strategy commonly reported by novices and while one of their most successful strategies, it was also one of the most unsuccessful. Female novices' use was less successful than males', although generally their strategy use was more effective. It was found that limiting, counting or spacing drinks, a strategy more common among male novices, was less likely to be effective compared to avoiding the combination of alcohol and driving altogether (i.e. not drinking when driving or not driving when drinking). A perceived need/desire to get home was the most commonly reported reason for drink-driving, while fears (of crashes, injuries, licence loss, detection and arrest) were common reasons for not drink-driving. The findings suggest the transition from a zero to 0.05 BAC is difficult for some novices and requires education or interventions. Recommendations regarding these initiatives are provided.

Sponsoring organisation: Baseline Research Program for which grants have been received from: Department of Justice; Roads Corporation (VicRoads); Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) Ltd; Transport Accident Commission