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Epidemiology of alcohol-impaired driving in an African nation
Technical Paper
1998-12-0021
Published October 05, 1998 by Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine in United States
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
To ascertain the prevalence and pattern of alcohol-impaired driving in an African nation, we conducted a random roadside breathalyzer survey of drivers in Ghana. A total of 149 (21%) of 722 drivers tested had a detectable blood alcohol concentration (BAC). In addition, 7.3% of drivers had a BAC ≥ 80 mg/dl. The prevalence of impaired driving (BAC > 80) was higher among private drivers (9.8%) than commercial drivers (6.4%). However, due to a higher volume, the majority (64%) of impaired drivers were commercial drivers. Alcohol use was higher among illiterate (11%) compared to literate drivers (5.4%) and was higher among middle-aged drivers (30 - 49 years, 9.1% impaired) compared with younger (< 30 years; 5.0%) or older drivers (≥ 50 years; 0%). Alcohol-impaired driving is a significant problem in this African nation. Anti-drunk driving measures should be an important component of road safety efforts. Such measures may need to be different than industrialized nations and will need to target illiterate drivers, middle-aged drivers, and commercial drivers.