NCJ Number
54998
Date Published
1978
Length
19 pages
Annotation
LEGAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO DRINKING AND DRIVING IN SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES ARE EXAMINED, WITH ATTENTION GIVEN TO DRIVER ATTITUDES, THE INCIDENCE OF ALCOHOL-RELATED OFFENSES, PENALTIES, AND MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS.
Abstract
THE OBJECTIVE OF LEGAL PROVISIONS IN ALL SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES (NORWAY, DENMARK, SWEDEN, AND FINLAND) WITH REGARD TO DRINKING AND DRIVING IS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. ACTING ON THE ASSUMPTION THAT THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL INCREASES THE RISK OF ACCIDENTS, LAWS ATTEMPT TO MOTIVATE DRIVERS TO AVOID COMBINING ALCOHOL WITH DRIVING. THE THREAT OF PUNISHMENT FOR DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED HAS A TWOFOLD AIM: (1) TO ACHIEVE A DETERRENT EFFECT; AND (2) TO INFLUENCE PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES TOWARD CONSUMING ALCOHOL AND DRIVING MOTOR VEHICLES. NORWAY WAS THE FIRST COUNTRY TO ENACT LEGISLATION STIPULATING A DEFINITE BLOOD ALCOHOL LIMIT (PRO MILLE PROVISIONS REQUIRING BLOOD TESTS). THE INTRODUCTION OF PRO MILLE PROVISIONS HAS LED TO A CHANGE IN THE INCLINATION OF DRIVERS TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL, HAS MADE MOTORISTS AWARE OF SEVERE PENAL PROVISIONS FOR DRINKING AND DRIVING, AND HAS INFLUENCED PUBLIC OPINIONS ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS IT IS TO DRIVE AFTER HAVING CONSUMED ALCOHOL IN EXCESS OF THE LEGAL LIMIT. DIFFICULTIES OCCUR, HOWEVER, IN EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF LEGISLATION IN NORWAY AND THE OTHER COUNTRIES ON DETERRENCE AND MORALITY. THESE DIFFICULTIES PERTAIN TO THE NUMBER OF PERSONS WITH MAJOR ALCOHOL PROBLEMS OR OTHER SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT PROBLEMS WHO ARE CONVICTED OF DRUNKEN DRIVING AND TO THE FACT THAT ACCIDENTS ARE PREDOMINANTLY CAUSED BY PERSONS WHO ARE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL TO A HIGH DEGREE. ADDITIONAL RESEARCH IS RECOMMENDED TO DEVELOP A MORE CERTAIN MEANS OF MEASURING THE ROLE PLAYED BY ALCOHOL IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS AND TO GAUGE POSSIBLE TRENDS IN ALCOHOL-RELATED ACCIDENTS. EXPLANATIONS FOR THE INCREASED ROLE OF ALCOHOL IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS ARE OFFERED. NOTES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)