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Nighttime impaired driving in rural Alberta
K L Belton1, G S Jhangri, S D MacDonald
1Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research, 4075 RTF, 8308 - 144 Street, Edmonton, AB, Canada. kathy.belton@ualberta.ca
Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health
|June 4, 2005
Summary
A nighttime survey found 3% of rural Alberta drivers exceeded the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit. Another 13% had detectable alcohol, highlighting impaired driving risks on rural roads.
Area of Science:
- Traffic Safety Research
- Public Health
- Forensic Toxicology
Background:
- Impaired driving remains a significant public safety concern, particularly on rural roads.
- Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of impaired driving is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the prevalence of impaired driving among nighttime drivers in rural Alberta.
- To describe the demographics and travel patterns of these drivers.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a roadside survey of randomly sampled drivers in rural Alberta.
- Collected breath samples to measure blood alcohol concentration (BAC).
- Administered short interviews to gather driver and trip information.
Main Results:
- 3% of surveyed drivers had a BAC exceeding the legal limit (80 mg%).
- 13% of drivers tested had detectable levels of alcohol in their system.
- Collected demographic and trip data from participating drivers.
Conclusions:
- A notable percentage of nighttime rural drivers in Alberta drive with alcohol in their system.
- The findings underscore the need for targeted impaired driving enforcement and education in rural areas.