scholarly journals The effect of lowering the legal blood alcohol concentration limit on driving under the influence (DUI) in southern Taiwan: a cross-sectional retrospective analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. e026481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Chin Tsai ◽  
Shao-Chun Wu ◽  
Jin-Fu Huang ◽  
Spencer C H Kuo ◽  
Cheng-Shyuan Rau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Concentration Limit ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Helmet Use ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Southern Taiwan ◽  
Car Crashes ◽  
Motorcycle Crashes

ObjectivesWe aimed to profile the epidemiological changes of driving under the influence (DUI) in southern Taiwan after the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit was lowered from 50 to 30 mg/dL in 2013.SettingLevel 1 trauma medical centre in southern Taiwan.ParticipantsData from 7447 patients (4375 males and 3072 females) were retrieved from the trauma registry system of a single trauma centre to examine patient characteristics (gender, age and BAC), clinical outcome variables (Abbreviated Injury Score, Injury Severity Score and mortality) and vehicular crash-related factors (vehicle type, airbag use in car crashes, helmet use in motorcycle crashes and time of crash) before and after the BAC limit change.ResultsOur results indicated that the percentage of DUI patients significantly declined from 10.99% (n=373) to 6.64% (n=269) after the BAC limit was lowered. Airbag use in car crashes (OR: 0.30, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.88, p=0.007) and helmet use in motorcycle crashes (OR: 0.20, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.26, p<0.001) was lower in DUI patients compared with non-DUI patients after the BAC limit change, with significant negative correlation. DUI behaviour increased crash mortality risk before the BAC limit change (OR: 4.33, 95% CI 2.20 to 8.54), and even more so after (OR: 5.60, 95% CI 3.16 to 9.93). The difference in ORs for mortality before and after the change in the BAC legal limit was not significant (p=0.568).ConclusionThis study revealed that lowering the BAC limit to 30 mg/dL significantly reduced the number of DUI events, but failed to result in a significant reduction in mortality in these trauma patients.

4. Are a Blood Alcohol Concentration of 256mg/dl and Minimal Signs of Impairment Reliable Indications of Alcohol Dependence?

1994 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
A W Jones
Keyword(s):  
Expert Witness ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Drunk Driving ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Lower Court ◽  
Dna Profile ◽  
Court Of Appeals ◽  
Driving Scenario

This article describes a drink-driving scenario where a woman was apprehended for driving under the influence (DUI) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 256mg/dl1 The correctness of this result was vigorously challenged by a medical expert witness for the defence, who was actually a specialist in alcohol diseases. Despite reanalysis to confirm the BAC as well as a DNA profile to prove the identity of the blood specimen, the woman was acquitted of the charge of drunk driving by the lower court. However, she was subsequently found guilty in the High Court of Appeals with a unanimous decision and sentenced to four weeks imprisonment. This case report illustrates some of the problems surrounding the use of expert medical evidence by the defence to challenge the validity of the prosecution evidence based solely on a suspect's BAC. In situations such as these, an expert witness should be called by the prosecution to clarify and, if necessary, rebut medical and/or scientific opinions that might mislead the court and influence the outcome of the trial.

scholarly journals The effects of a change in permissible blood alcohol concentration limit on involving drink-driving in road accidents

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 201-209
Author(s):  
Emir Smailović ◽  
Dalibor Pešić ◽  
Nenad Marković ◽  
Boris Antić ◽  
Krsto Lipovac
Keyword(s):  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Concentration Limit ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Road Accidents

scholarly journals Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Relationship of Alcohol-Related Injury and Perceived Driving Under the Influence from Hours of Exposure to High Blood Alcohol Concentration: Data From Four US National Alcohol Surveys (2000–2015)

2020 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 564-570
Author(s):  
Cheryl J Cherpitel ◽  
Edwina Williams ◽  
Yu Ye ◽  
William C Kerr
Keyword(s):  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Driving Under The Influence ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Concentration Data ◽  
Predicted Probability ◽  
Exposure Levels ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Abstract Aims To analyze racial/ethnic disparities in risk of two alcohol-related events, alcohol-related injury and self-reported perceived driving under the influence (DUI) from hours of exposure to an elevated blood alcohol concentration (BAC). Methods Risk curves for the predicted probability of these two outcomes from the number of hours of exposure to a BAC ≥ 0.08 mg% in the past year were analyzed separately for whites, blacks and Hispanics in a merged sample of respondents from four US National Alcohol Surveys (2000–2015). Results Hours of exposure to a BAC ≥ 0.08 showed a stronger association with perceived DUI than with alcohol-related injury for all racial/ethnic groups. Greater risk was found for whites than blacks or Hispanics for outcomes at nearly all BAC exposure levels, and most marked at the highest level of exposure. Risk of both outcomes was significant for whites at all exposure levels, but small for alcohol-related injury. Little association was found for alcohol-related injury for blacks or Hispanics. For perceived DUI, risk for blacks was significantly elevated at lower levels of exposure, while risk for Hispanics was significantly elevated beginning at 30 h of exposure. Conclusions Findings showed racial/ethnic differences in risk of alcohol-related injury and perceived DUI from hours of exposure to elevated BAC. Risk increased at relatively low levels of exposure to a BAC ≥ 0.08, especially for whites, highlighting the importance of preventive efforts to reduce harmful outcomes for moderate drinkers.

Low-Dose Alcohol Effects on Attention in Adolescents

2013 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer F. Scheel ◽  
Karin Schielke ◽  
Stefan Lautenbacher ◽  
Sabine Aust ◽  
Simone Kremer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Alcohol Concentration ◽  
Blood Alcohol ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Alcohol Condition ◽  
Memory Flexibility ◽  
Alcohol Effects ◽  
Placebo Drink

Objective: Relatively little is known about the effects of low-dose alcohol effects on attentional performance in adolescents. In the present study, we examined these effects compared to those in adults. Method: 44 healthy subjects (21 adolescents and 23 adults) received either an alcoholic cocktail (average blood alcohol concentration: 0.054 %) or a placebo drink (randomized placebo-controlled). Before and after consuming the drink, participants completed tests on Alertness, Working Memory, Flexibility and Divided Attention. Results: Significant effects were found for the subtest Flexibility, which showed less improvement in the adolescents with alcohol compared to the non-alcohol condition and adults. Furthermore, an age-independent alcohol-induced impairment of the subtest Working Memory was observed. Conclusions: These findings point to a particular vulnerability for alcohol effects in adolescents regarding cognitive flexibility.

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