scholarly journals Relapse of drunk driving and association with traffic accidents, alcohol-related problems and biomarkers of impulsivity

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 84-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tõnis Tokko ◽  
Diva Eensoo ◽  
Mariliis Vaht ◽  
Klaus-Peter Lesch ◽  
Andreas Reif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Traffic Accidents ◽  
Drunk Driving ◽  
Allele Carrier ◽  
Platelet Mao ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Traffic Violations ◽  
Mao Activity ◽  
Drunk Drivers ◽  
Alcohol Related Problems

AbstractObjectiveIndividual biological predispositions should play a role in risky driving behaviour. Platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity, dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) and neuropeptide S receptor 1 (NPSR1) gene polymorphisms have been identified as markers of impulsivity, alcohol use and excessive risk-taking. We aimed to find out how this knowledge on neurobiology of impulsivity applies to drunk driving and traffic behaviour in general.MethodsWe have longitudinally examined the behaviour of drunk drivers (n = 203) and controls (n = 211) in traffic, in association with their alcohol-related problems, personality measures and the three biomarkers. We analysed differences between the subjects based on whether they had committed driving while impaired by alcohol (DWI) violation in a 10-year time period after recruitment or not and investigated further, what kind of predictive value do the different biomarkers have in committing DWI and other traffic violations and accidents.ResultsThe original drunk drivers group had lower platelet MAO activity but further DWI was not significantly associated with this measure. Being a NPSR1 T-allele carrier contributed to the risk of repeatedly committing DWI. DAT1 9R carriers in contrast were involved in more traffic accidents by their own fault (active accidents), compared to 10R homozygotes in the whole sample. All groups with DWI also had significantly more alcohol-related problems and higher scores in maladaptive impulsivity compared to controls without DWI.ConclusionsEstablished biological markers of alcohol use and impulsivity can be reliably associated with everyday traffic behaviour and help in contributing to the understanding of the need for more personalized prevention activities.

Monoamine oxidase: associations with alcohol dependence, smoking and other measures of psychopathology

2000 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 443-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. WHITFIELD ◽  
D. PANG ◽  
K. K. BUCHOLZ ◽  
P. A. F. MADDEN ◽  
A. C. HEATH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Panic Disorder ◽  
Monoamine Oxidase ◽  
Conduct Disorder ◽  
Alcohol Dependence ◽  
Social Phobia ◽  
Platelet Mao ◽  
Mao Activity ◽  
Platelet Mao Activity ◽  
The Difference

Background. Many reports have appeared on associations between platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and susceptibility to psychiatric conditions; principally alcohol dependence but also conduct disorder, other drug use and depression. Recently, it has become apparent that MAO activity is inhibited by some component of cigarette smoke, and smokers have low platelet MAO activity. Since the prevalence of smoking is higher in many of the conditions in which MAO has been implicated, the MAO susceptibility associations may be partly, or entirely, false.Methods. We have measured platelet MAO in 1551 subjects, recruited from the Australian NHMRC Twin Registry, who have provided information on alcohol use and dependence, smoking, conduct disorder, depression, attempted suicide, panic disorder and social phobia.Results. Current smoking reduced platelet MAO activity in a significant and dose-related manner, with no evidence of lower MAO in ex-smokers or in non-smoking subjects with co-twins who smoked. Alcohol use and lifetime DSM-III-R alcohol dependence history were not associated with MAO activity when smoking was taken into account. Depression, panic disorder and social phobia showed no significant associations with platelet MAO activity. Subjects with a history of serious attempts at suicide had low platelet MAO activity; but although the difference from controls was as great as the reduction associated with smoking it was not significant after correction for smoking effects.Conclusions. Although synaptic MAO activity undoubtedly plays a role in psychopathology, the concept that platelet MAO activity is a direct genetic marker of vulnerability to alcohol dependence cannot be sustained.

Low platelet MAO activity associated with high dysfunctional impulsivity and antisocial behavior: evidence from drunk drivers

2004 ◽  
Vol 172 (3) ◽  
pp. 356-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diva Eensoo ◽  
Marika Paaver ◽  
Aleksander Pulver ◽  
Maarike Harro ◽  
Jaanus Harro
Keyword(s):  
Antisocial Behavior ◽  
Platelet Mao ◽  
Dysfunctional Impulsivity ◽  
Mao Activity ◽  
Platelet Mao Activity ◽  
Drunk Drivers

“I’ll Take a Shot for Every Like I Get on This Status”: Posting Alcohol- related Facebook Content Predicts Drinking Outcomes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin Corwin Westgate ◽  
Kristen Lindgren
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Pacific Northwest ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorders ◽  
Drinking Motives ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Drinking Outcomes ◽  
Alcohol Related Problems

Objective:This study investigated whether self-reports of alcohol-related postings on Facebook by oneself or one’s Facebook friends were related to common motives for drinking and were uniquely predictive of self-reported alcohol outcomes (alcohol consumption, problems, and cravings).Method:Pacific Northwest undergraduates completed a survey of alcohol outcomes, drinking motives, and alcoholrelated Facebook postings. Participants completed the survey online as part of a larger study on alcohol use and cognitive associations. Participants were randomly selected through the university registrar’s office and consisted of 1,106 undergraduates (449 men, 654 women, 2 transgender, 1 declined to answer) between the ages of 18 and 25 years (M = 20.40, SD = 1.60) at a large university in the Pacific Northwest. Seven participants were excluded from analyses because of missing or suspect data.Results:Alcohol-related postings on Facebook were significantly correlated with social, enhancement, conformity, and coping motives for drinking (all ps < .001). After drinking motives were controlled for, self–alcohol-related postings independently and positively predicted the number of drinks per week, alcohol-related problems, risk of alcohol use disorders, and alcohol cravings (all ps < .001). In contrast, friends’ alcohol-related postings only predicted the risk of alcohol use disorders (p < .05) and marginally predicted alcohol-related problems (p = .07).Conclusions:Posting alcohol-related content on social media platforms such as Facebook is associated with common motivations for drinking and is, in itself, a strong predictive indicator of drinking outcomes independent of drinking motives. Moreover, self-related posting activity appears to be more predictive than Facebook friends’ activity. These findings suggest that social media platforms may be a useful target for future preventative and intervention efforts.

scholarly journals Drunk Drivers’ Willingness to Use and to Pay for Designated Drivers

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5362
Author(s):  
Rong-Chang Jou ◽  
Li-Wun Syu
Keyword(s):  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Family Background ◽  
Drunk Driving ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
Drinking Habits ◽  
Car Accidents ◽  
Drunk Drivers ◽  
Double Hurdle ◽  
The Government ◽  
Willingness To Use

While drunk driving accidents, which are a serious problem in Taiwan, have decreased in recent years, cases of drunk driving continue to emerge endlessly, and are a source of traffic risks even when the accidents cause no injuries. In order to prevent drunk driving and reduce car accidents, the government has made laws stricter, and has vigorously promoted “designated drivers”. As the concept of designated drivers is not common in Taiwan, this study mainly explores drunk drivers’ understanding of designated drivers in Nantou County and Taichung City, and investigates the willingness of drunk drivers to use and to pay for designated driving services. This study conducted a questionnaire survey on the drunk drivers of the drunk driving and traffic safety training course held at the Motor Vehicles Office. Double-hurdle and tobit models were applied to investigate the issues mentioned above. According to the test results, the tobit model was superior to the double-hurdle model. The estimation results indicated that distance, age, income, family conditions, and drinking habits influence the willingness to use and to pay for designated drivers. Gender, age, family background, and experience in designated driving cause differences in the willingness to use designated drivers in the two regions. It is expected that the conclusion of this study could provide a direction and reference for the future improvement of designated driving services.

Effects of Criminal Sanctions on Drunk Drivers: Beyond Incarceration

1988 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald R. Wheeler ◽  
Rodney V. Hissong
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Survival Time ◽  
Drunk Driving ◽  
Population At Risk ◽  
Criminal Sanctions ◽  
Drunk Drivers ◽  
First Offenders ◽  
Alternative Sanctions

Proponents of mandatory jail laws contend that alternative sanctions such as probation and fines have failed to modify behavior of those convicted of drunk driving (DWI). In order to test this proposition, we evaluated the effects of probation, fines, and jail sentences on DWI recidivism of a randomly selected DWI population at risk for 36 months. Utilizing survival time statistical analysis, the findings showed no significant differences in outcome among sanctions. As predicted, persons with a DWI history recidivated significantly sooner than first offenders. We conclude by advocating a policy of alternative sanctions to incarceration for drunk drivers.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document