Research on the topic driving without alcohol and drugs:

Acceptance for zero tolerance existing

Here you can download the press release as a doc-file (160 kb)

Hanover/Stuttgart, October 2005. Young drivers bear the highest risk for an accident in traffic. An additional risk factor while driving is the consumption of alcohol and drugs. The IVU (Institute for Traffic and Environment, Stuttgart) gained knowledge of how to influence the situation positively by the project “Driving without alcohol and drugs in the Free State of Saxony”. The rain tyre manufacturer Uniroyal supported the project.

With innovative methods and the experience of decades Prof. Dr.-Ing. Günter Sabow of the IVU worked out approved findings to the topic Driving without alcohol and drugs. For the first time the participants of the project have been conducted by a cellular radio supported “electronic diary” and have been interviewed daily over the period of six weeks. This method (cami-method, computer assisted mobile inter­view) is suited in particular to collect data of situational characteristics like behavior, mood or motivation.

Predominantly closed questions have been used and answered successfully by 90%, due as well to the fact that the participants have been asked every two hours if necessary. The interviewees have been provided with a cell phone for free.

Alcohol has got a high social significance. Its consumption stands for sociability, stimulation, relaxation and adulthood, rarely for negative features like distress, oblivion and intoxication. Apart from the social significance the like applies to drugs. The car and driving serves comparable motives. Unfortunately consumption of alcohol and/or drugs is linked too often with driving. An escalation of the problem exists, when young drivers are doing this.

The IVU formulated following model:

Regarding the existing conclusions driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs is raised by

• The common underlying motives and opportunities
• The lack of knowledge, wrong self-assessment and spontaneity
• Peer pressure, a lack of social support

In contrast the division of alcohol and drugs from driving is supported by

• A strategic decision for zero tolerance when driving and corresponding self-management as well as advance planning and situational control
• Knowledge, communication, target group relevant address and enlightenment
• Critical self-assessment, also in the border area
• Social support, acceptance and resources

Acceptance for a zero tolerance regulation would exist amongst young drivers, according to several interviews during the last years. Just as much they concede a highest effect on safety to an absolute ban on alcohol when driving. “But to gain an adequate sensitization we have to choose ways of approach that are appropriate for the target group”, says Prof. Dr.-Ing. Günter Sabow in his examination report.

Pre-survey and results

A heterogeneous group of young drivers, predominantly beginners, has been asked for this traffic safety project for young drivers in the Free State of Saxony. Army recruits as another risk group have been included as well. The data has been provided anonymously. The results of this written pre-survey are clear conclusions.

The following was supported the most:

• Separating drinking and driving shows strength and sense of responsibility (89%)
• Drugs do not match with driving (92%)
• Explicit prohibitions (0,0 promille) give more clarity of how to act (68%)
• There would be much less accidents with an absolute ban on alcohol during the probation period (68%)

On the other hand following statements have been negated clearly:

• You can not argue against a controlled handling of Ecstasy (91%)
• After 2-3 beers I can drive as good as when I am sober (79%)
• You can not argue against a controlled handling of cannabis (76%)
• “soft drugs” should be legalized at last (72%)

In overall the survey showed a satisfying state of knowledge about risks in traffic caused by alcohol and drugs, but it also revealed significant deficits concerned legal regulations. Thus, less than 50% of the interviewees know the 0,3 promille limit. The participants sensitized by the project showed much fewer breaches of traffic rules and a better state of knowledge.

Findings

There are coherences between the state of knowledge and the habit of consumption: Persons drinking much tend to possess less knowledge and competencies. For at least 10% of young drivers, especially male drivers, separating drinking and driving regularly represents a problem. The acceptance for an absolute ban on alcohol at the wheel is high and this would provide more assurance of how to act. The present practice with different regulations is hard to comprehend and memorize. Approved statements concerning the consumption of drugs were barely made. This speaks for a great uncertainty (fear for the driving license) und further need of research. Driving under the influence of drugs is rejected stronger than driving under the influence of alcohol.

Recommendations of action

• The legal permitted alcohol limit when driving a car should be reduced to 0,0 promille for beginners
• A bonus system should be developed, that would privilege drivers who make a self-committing, strategic decision for driving without drinking and who contract this to their liability insurer.
• Measures of clarification and information should be intensified
• A campaign to motivate and remind should support other actions as well
• In the long term the aim has to be a new and positive image and understanding of the sober driver. Basically this worked out in several European states, for example in Belgium by the catchword “BOB”. This model should be the standard, but it has to be adapted to German affairs and mentalities.

The complete project report (135 pages) can be obtained from the IVU (Ernsthalden­straße 17, D-70565 Stuttgart) for a nominal charge of 25 Euro.

This project has been supported by the Ministry of the Interior of Saxony, Dresden and conducted by order of the Landesverkehrswacht Sachsen e.V. Further partners and sponsors were

ACE Auto Club Europa e.V., Stuttgart

B.A.D.S. Alliance against alcohol and drugs in traffic, section Saxony

BKK Zollern-Alb, Balingen/ Dresden

Vodafone D2 GmbH, branch East, Radebeul

Uniroyal, Hanover

The Belgian rubber manufacturer Englebert has been producing tyres since 1895, for amongst others the Continental AG. In 1958 the company merged with US Rubber and changed its name to Uniroyal Englebert. Since 1979, the European brand Uniroyal, which introduced the world`s first rain tyre, belongs to the Continental AG in Hanover.

The Continental group is a leading supplier of brake systems, vehicle components, vehicle electronics, tyres and technical coating fabrics. In 2004 Continental AG achieved a total revenue of 12.6 Billion Euro and now has more than 80.000 employees world-wide.

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The web presence of Uniroyal can be found at www.uniroyal-online.com.