Knowledge and behaviours of drunk driving offenders in Guangzhou, China

This study focuses on a 2011 legislative amendment in China that made drunk driving (DWI) a criminal offence. However, it is not known whether drivers are aware of the law, and whether this knowledge, their exposure to enforcement and the existence of alcohol use disorders relate to their drink driving behaviour. This study explored these relationships in a sample of convicted drunk drivers. A survey collected information about offendersr knowledge and practices related to drunk driving in Guangzhou. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) assessed hazardous drinking levels. In total, 101 drunk driving offenders were recruited while in detention. Males represented 90 per cent of the sample; the average age was 33.6 years. The average age at which offenders reported starting to drink alcohol was 19.5 years. Driverrs licences had been held for a median of 7 years. Knowledge about legal limits for DUI and DWI offences was surprisingly low, at 27.7 per cent and 40.6 per cent respectively. On average, offenders had experienced 1.5 police alcohol breath tests in the previous year. AUDIT scores indicated that a substantial proportion of the offenders had high levels of alcohol use disorders. Higher AUDIT scores were found among the least experienced drivers, those with lack of knowledge about the legal limits, and recidivist drunk drivers. Limited awareness of legal alcohol limits might contribute to offending; high levels of alcohol consumption by many offenders suggest that hazardous drinking levels may also contribute. Novice drivers are a concern and their higher AUDIT scores merit some follow up. Overall, this study provides important information to assist in refining community education and prevention efforts to align with Chinars new regulations.