Drinking and driving in Spain.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the patterns of alcohol consumption among Spanish drivers and to evaluate possible repercussions on road safety policies.

METHOD

A sample of 12,000 drivers aged over 16 were randomly selected from the National Register of Spanish Drivers. The questionnaires, with items on sociodemographic data and on patterns of driving and alcohol consumption, were mailed to selected drivers in the fall of 1993. The study was based on the 1,500 (1,016 from men, 484 from women) properly completed questionnaires received.

RESULTS

Among those surveyed, 62.9% were regular drinkers, who had a mean daily alcohol intake of 46.9 grams/day; of these regular drinkers 26.8% drank at a dangerous level. Those who drove regularly were more likely to drink and had a higher alcohol intake. The majority of drinkers recognized that they drove after drinking, 14.3% even acknowledged that last year on some occasions they drove "in a drunken state." Those who drink show high figures of involvement in road accidents.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicates widespread consumption of alcohol by Spanish drivers and the need to develop and improve driving and drinking policies in Spain.