Citation

Kretschmer-baeumel E, Schanz V. Proc. Int. Counc. Alcohol Drugs Traffic Safety Conf. 1981; 1981: 1247-1258.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1981, The author(s) and the Council, Publisher International Council on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

The high number of alcohol-related accidents is due not only to the problem-drinker, repeatedly convicted for drunken driving, but also to what we may call the "ordinary" or "normal" driver. Therefore the federal highway research institute of Germany (bast) has developed a research program, focusing on the behavior of this "ordinary" driver. The most important elements of this research are the situations in which drinking is common and, for a variety of reasons, driving can't be excluded. Thus the foundation is potentially laid for the conflict between drinking and driving. These drinking-driving situations are described by characteristical variables, including decision processes and problem-solving. In this way critical situations, leading to such a conflict, could be identified. At the same time personal data were collected, relating to drinking and driving habits, to specific attitudes, to the acceptance of norms and to the social and psychosocial background of the individual. It has thus been possible to differentiate between situational drinking-driving conflicts and conflicts resulting from personal problems. Changes in drinking-driving habits of the "ordinary" driver might positively affect the behavior of problem drivers. The results are based on about 15 studies. It is expected that the research as a whole will be completed in 1983. (TRRL)