ESTIMATING ALCOHOL IMPAIRMENT IN THE FIELD: IMPLICATIONS FOR DRUNKEN DRIVING

Ninety-three students were asked to estimate their blood alcohol level (BAL) and to report whether they were legally impaired as they left a fraternity party. They were also asked to report the number of 10-oz cups of beer they had consumed during the party. Actual BALs were tested on a breathalyzer and the subjects' self-reported number of cups were compared with the cup-by-cup consumption data collected during the party. The results showed that many subjects were to report correctly whether they were legally impaired. However, those subjects with higher BALs tended to overestimate their actual BAL while underestimating the number of cups of beer they had consumed. These results are discussed in terms of the ability of individuals to make judgments about their level of impairment. The implications of these results for the prevention of drunken driving are also addressed.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0096882X
• Corporate Authors:

  Alcohol Research Documentation, Incorporated

  P.O. Box 969
  Piscataway, NJ  United States  08854
• Authors:
  • RUSS, N W
  • Harwood, M K
  • Geller, E S
• Publication Date: 1986-5

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 237-240
• Serial:
  • Journal of Studies on Alcohol
  • Volume: 47
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Rutgers University, New Brunswick
  • ISSN: 0096-882X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcoholic beverages; Blood alcohol levels; Driver training; Impaired drivers; Self evaluation; Students
• Old TRIS Terms: Driver impairment
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00495913
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-039 922
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Aug 31 1990 12:00AM