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(Reference retrieved automatically from SciELO through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Prevalence of drinking and driving in a city of Southeastern Brazil

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Author(s):
Sérgio Duailibi [1] ; Ilana Pinsky [2] ; Ronaldo Laranjeira [3]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Departamento de Psiquiatria. Unidade de Pesquisa em Álcool e outras Drogas - Brasil
[2] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Departamento de Psiquiatria. Unidade de Pesquisa em Álcool e outras Drogas - Brasil
[3] Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Departamento de Psiquiatria. Unidade de Pesquisa em Álcool e outras Drogas - Brasil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Revista de Saúde Pública; v. 41, n. 6, p. 1058-1061, 2007-10-02.
Abstract

Problems due to alcohol use among drivers have been assessed worldwide and studies indicate high morbidity and mortality rates related to drinking and driving. There are few national studies about this subject. Thus, this study was conducted aiming at estimating the prevalence of drinking and driving and testing the acceptability of passive and active breathalyzers. A total of 908 drivers were tested in the main streets of a city in the state of São Paulo, from February 2005 to March 2006. The methodology adopted was sobriety checkpoints. In 23.7% of the drivers some level of alcohol was found in the exhaled air; in 19.4% alcohol level was equal to or higher than the legal limit. The passive breathalyzer was reliable and presented results comparable to the active one. These findings were six times higher than those found in similar surveys carried out in other countries, indicating the relevance of this problem. Specific public policies to fight the problem and more national studies are needed. (AU)