title: Factors associated with recurrence of alcohol-related traffic violations in southern Brazil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze variables associated with recurrence of blood alcohol content (BAC)-related traffic violations among drivers in southern Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study included 12,204 driving-under-the-influence (DUI) offenders according to data provided by the Rio Grande do Sul state Transportation Department. Sociodemographic characteristics, license duration, license category, and psychological assessment results were analyzed. Drivers convicted of DUI more than once in 2009/2010 were considered recidivists. Variables were evaluated using descriptive statistical analysis and Poisson regression, adjusted by sex, age, and education level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 538 (4.41%) drivers were considered recidivists. The following variables showed the strongest associations with recidivism: being aged 41-50 years (prevalence ratio [PR] = 3.41), being licensed for ≥ 12 years (PR = 1.86), being licensed for motorcycles, cars and trucks (PR = 1.36), having a license with psychological restrictions (PR = 1.33), and driving a truck or a similar vehicle at the moment of notification (PR = 1.08).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the age group with the highest risk for recurrence, drivers showed a higher probability of having a diagnosis of alcohol dependence and other psychiatric comorbidities that hinder the control of alcohol use. Psychological assessments seem to be important in predicting repeat offenses, especially when limited aptitudes are suspected, and should therefore be better investigated.
authors.affiliation: Center for Drug and Alcohol Research (CPAD), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aurinez R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Bioethics and Ethics Research, HCPA, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: José R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Goldim
authors.affiliation: Center for Drug and Alcohol Research (CPAD), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciano S P
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Guimarães
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychology, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Lopes
authors.affiliation: Center for Drug and Alcohol Research (CPAD), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Felix
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kessler
authors.affiliation: Center for Drug and Alcohol Research (CPAD), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tanara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: Center for Drug and Alcohol Research (CPAD), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Veralice M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Gonçalves
authors.affiliation: Center for Drug and Alcohol Research (CPAD), Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pechansky
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000523:psychology; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult