Any Drinking Raises Risk of Traffic Accidents, Researchers Say

Any Drinking Raises Risk of Traffic Accidents, Researchers Say
September 17, 2009

Research Summary

Even one or two alcoholic drinks can increase the risk of getting into an automobile accident, even if it's not technically drunk driving, according to Italian researchers.

Reuters reported Sept. 10 that individuals who consumed one or two drinks within 2-6 hours of driving more than doubled their risk of getting into an accident. Having more than two drinks tripled the risk of a crash.

Researcher Stefano Di Bartolomeo of the Università degli Studi di Udine and colleagues drew their conclusions from interviews of emergency-room patients who had been in car crashes; drivers were asked about their alcohol and food consumption prior to the crash, as well as how much sleep they had gotten.

The study also found that drinking combined with sleep depravation greatly increased the risk of a crash.

The study was published in the Sept. 1, 2009 issue of the journal BMC Public Health.

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COMMENTS ON THIS ARTICLE:

Posted by Diane on 18 Sep 09 12:25 PM EDT

This sounds compelling. However, I'm sure when asked your clients will say they had a "couple of beers" or "two" when, in fact, they had significantly more. The study would have been stronger if they compared the interviews to actual BAC's.

Posted by Westy on 18 Sep 09 03:08 PM EDT

It's simple: if you can feel even a slight effect from a drink, your ability to drive will be affected, too. So don’t drink and drive EVER. Have a designated driver or try enjoying yourself without drinking. Is one drink worth the risk a of car accident?

Posted by John French on 18 Sep 09 09:25 PM EDT

Did anyone really think that drinking less than, say, four drinks would produce no effect, while four would? This is another example of "RTO" -- Researching The Obvious. But it does make some folks happy to quantitate estimates of known risk. It somehow adds legitimacy. And it extends the resumes of some researchers.

Posted by George in Westwood on 19 Sep 09 03:19 PM EDT

This seems to be good information that should be widely distributed. Impairment begins with the first "drink" and increases substantially after that. Some years ago the Insurance Institute of America released a similar study of drivers in single car crashes showing the relative crash rate/risk related to number of drinks consumed. The previous comment is good advice.

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