Reported attitudes, practices and knowledge in relation to drink driving: the effects of the introduction of random breath testing in New South Wales

Random breath testing (rbt) was introduced in New South Wales in December 1982 and caused a substantial reduction in fatal and injury crashes. Similar results have been achieved elsewhere. However, little is known of the mechanism(s) by which this change in driver (and motorcycle rider) behavior is achieved. To examine the effects of rbt and associated publicity campaigns 2 door to door surveys of 1,000 Sydney licensed rider/ drivers were conducted: the month before the introduction of rbt and 5 months after its introduction. The results are discussed in terms of social approval and morality in relation to drink driving, acceptance of the law and rbt, knowledge of the law, knowledge of alcohol, and drink driving practices (a).