SURVEY OF DRIVERS TO EXPLAIN THE REDUCTION OF DRINK DRIVING IN THE UK.

Objective: There has been a significant reduction in the number of fatal and serious accidents associated with BACs above the UK legal limit of 80 mg% over the past 10 years. The present report attempts to provide process explanations for this observed reduction. Methods: Data from two representative surveys of male drivers conducted in 1983 (n=938) and 1990 (n=595) were examined. Responses to a number of items measuring drink-driving behaviour, perceived alcohol consumption levels and deterrence-based items were compared across samples. Results: Consistent with fatality data, initial analysis showed self-reported drink-driving frequency among male drivers to have decreased over time. Subsequent correlational and multiple regression analyses on each independent sample showed little change in the predictive equations to account for the lower offending and accident records. Items referring to perceived alcohol consumption issues and age were found to be the most robust predictors of drink-driving behaviour over time, with experiential factors (alcohol-related accident involvement and exposure to breath test analysis) also showing consistent patterns. Conclusions: With such consistent findings, other legislative, motivational and psychological factors I offer alternative explanations for decreased drink-driving behaviour.