Citation

Schoknecht G. Blutalkohol 2000; 37(3): 161-171.

Affiliation

14167 Berlin, Germany.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety and Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Straßenverkehr, Publisher Steintor Verlag)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In the Federal Republic of Germany breath alcohol analysis was legally introduced solely in cases of law infringements. During court cases difficulties can arise if high breath alcohol concentrations (BrAC) were recorded by the police yet no blood alcohol analysis was carried out. To date, in cases of criminal offences, the Federal Supreme Court has only determined a limit value for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and not for breath alcohol concentration (BrAC). Therefore the possible distribution of BAC values for a given BrAC needs to be determined on an empirical basis. Alternatively, the relative risk of causing an accident (odds ratio) on which the Federal Court bases its decision, can be determined directly from the Grad-Rapid-Study as well as other studies. BrAC values of 0.82 and 0.92 mg/l are discussed.