Roadside surveys in canada: 1974-1993

During the past twenty years, there have been significant reductions in the magnitude of the alcohol-crash problem in Canada. To a large extent, evidence of such reductions is derived from the declining number and proportion of fatally injured drivers with positive BACs. While the precise reasons for this decline are as yet unclear, it is often presumed the reductions in alcohol-related driver fatalities are a reflection of a corresponding decrease in the overall incidence of impaired driving. This hypothesis, however, has never been fully investigated. This paper examines the results of roadside surveys conducted in various provinces in Canada over the past twenty years to determine the extent of changes in the incidence of drinking and driving. In addition, the paper examines the extent to which changes in the incidence of drinking and driving correspond to changes in the magnitude of the alcohol crash problem. The data is also used to examine the characteristics of drinking drivers and changes in these characteristics over time. The implications of the findings for policies and programs are also discussed. (a) For the record of the covering entry of this conference, please see IRRD abstract no 868581.