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| prevalence, decision-making and attitudes. Development Department Research Programme Research Findings No. 128 Whilst anti drink-driving campaigns have traditionally been aimed at the driving population as a whole, those working in the road safety field have identified a need for a more structured approach that would differentiate between 'types' of drink-drivers in order to target such campaigns more effectively. The Scottish Road Safety Campaign therefore commissioned this study of public attitudes and behaviour around driving and alcohol use to establish the prevalence of drink driving in Scotland and explore current attitudes and behaviour in more depth.. The research consisted of a quantitative survey of a nationally-representative sample of 1000 current Scottish drivers and a series of qualitative discussions with drivers of different types. Main Findings Most drivers (roughly 6 out of 10) say they have driven a vehicle within a few hours of having something alcoholic to drink. Four out of ten have done so within the last year. Around one in five drivers say they have ever driven when they thought they might be over the limit and one in twenty admits to having done so within the past year On both measures, there are marked differences by age groups and sex, with younger males emerging as the key risk group. Looking at 'last year' behaviour, this group is more likely to have driven after a drink and more likely to have driven when they thought they might be over the limit. They are also more likely to have done these things on multiple occasions and to have consumed greater amounts of alcohol before doing so. The qualitative interviews suggest that many people go to considerable lengths to avoid having to drive when they know they are likely to be drinking. For those who do opt to drive but to stay within the legal limits, it is clear that there is still significant pressure to drink - especially among certain groups. Although most people have a reasonably clear sense of existing legal and 'personal' limits, there is uncertainty and anxiety around particular issues - for example, 'home measures', drinks of 'hidden' strength and the interaction of alcohol, diet and body mass. Drink-driving is not an undifferentiated behaviour and the qualitative interviews revealed a range of situations and justifications. One of the most important of these may be 'next day' driving, because of the extent to which - consciously or unconsciously - drivers appear to ignore the risks involved. Overall, the research highlights the diversity of drink-driving behaviour and suggests that no single approach or campaign is likely to be successful in tackling the issue. The research has raised important questions about which risk groups and situations should be prioritised, given limited resources. |
Drinking and Driving : Article
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