Citation

Werwath C, Bornemann K, Wischhusen F, Puschel K. Blutalkohol 2000; 37(3): 126-133.

Affiliation

Institut fur Rechtsmedizin, 22529 Hamburg, 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

From 1990 to 1995, 39 395 blood alcohol tests from 7 747 alcohol related offences committed by 3 488 repeated offenders (between two and seven times) from the greater Hamburg area were analysed at the Institute of Legal Medicine. The aim was to receive prognostic criteria used for decision making in cases of re-granting driving licences. The study revealed that male drivers between the ages of 21 and 40 represent a particularly high-risk group. Three quarters of all repeated offenders came from this group. The 21 to 30 year olds were represented most frequently with 47.3 %. 8.2 % of the 18 to 20 year old group committed repeated offences, thus confirming that young driving licence holders are a particular risk group (women 4.4 %, men 8.5 %). Within the group of repeated offenders (two to three times) there were highly significant increases in the BAC levels as well as in the frequency of offences. This demonstrates regular alcohol consumption but no degree of alcohol addiction. With regard to the time spans between the repeated offences, a decrease of the time span between the first and second offence as well as an increase in the offence frequency could be observed.