Relation between alcohol consumption and traffic violations and accidents in the region of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State

• Published in: Forensic science international 2011-04, Vol.207 (1), p.164-169
• Main Authors: Pereira, Rafael Eduardo, Perdoná, Gleici da Silva Castro, Zini, Lucila Costa, Cury, Maria Bernadete Schieber, Ruzzene, Maria Angela Martins, Martin, Carmen Cinira Santos, Martinis, Bruno Spinosa De
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accidents, Traffic - statistics & numerical data; Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Alcohol Drinking - adverse effects; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Alcohol use; Alcoholic beverages; Biological and medical sciences; Blood alcohol concentration; Brazil - epidemiology; Central Nervous System Depressants - blood; Ethanol; Ethanol - blood; Female; Forensic medicine; General aspects; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous system; Pathology; Public health; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Risk assessment; Sex Distribution; Traffic accidents & safety; Traffic occurrences; Young Adult; Young adults
• ISSN: 0379-0738; 1872-6283
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.09.021

Abstract In recent years, alcohol consumption has been considered an important public health problem. Ethanol, the alcohol used in beverages, is a drug that affects the central nervous system (CNS) and impairs driving skills and co-ordination, increasing risk of deaths and injuries derived from crashes and road accidents. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is implicated with premature deaths, injuries and damages caused by motor vehicle crashes, which result in high costs to government and society. Considering that alcohol consumption is the main responsible factor for deaths and disabilities in young people, the aim of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of blood alcohol in offenders and/or fatal and non-fatal victims of traffic occurrences in the region of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, from 2005 to 2007. The results revealed that in 2134 cases investigated, blood alcohol positivity was generally found in young adults, 25–45 years old and male. The study showed the high risk of drinking and driving and the importance in establishing actions of prevention and intervention to promote the reduction in the number of traffic occurrences related to consumption of alcoholic beverages.