Alcohol and driving: is the 0.05% blood alcohol concentration limit justified?
This paper reviews the findings of experimental and laboratory research to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support a uniform 0.05% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as the legal limit for driving. Statistically significant and meaningful decrements in driving-related performance were identified at 0.05% BAC or below in many studies. Younger and inexperienced drinkers and drivers appear to be at greatest risk for alcohol-related traffic crashes. It is concluded that on scientific grounds, there is support for setting the legal limit at 0.05%. The setting of a uniform 0.05% BAC statutory limit should be but one effort within a comprehensive approach including other legal, social, behavioural and environmental strategies to deal with the drink driving problem.
Howat
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Curtin University Centre for Health Promotion Research, Division of Health Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, GPO Box U1987, Perth, Western Australia, 6001, Australia.
Sleet
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Smith
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