Comparison of car drivers and motorcyclists' drink-driving in 19 countries, results from the SARTRE 4 survey.

Abstract

Previous studies showed that motorcyclists drink and drive as often as car drivers but with lower BAC. Moreover, when they know that they may drink heavily, motorcyclists typically leave their motorcycle and use their car. They may be trying to compensate for the greater vulnerability of their habitual transport mode by more cautious behaviour. 12507 car drivers and 4483 powered two-wheelers from 19 countries were asked about their attitudes, and behaviours related to driving while impaired. The results showed large differences between countries in alcohol consumption and reported drink driving. More specifically, the drivers from Northern Europe reported far less drink driving than Southern drivers. In most countries motorcyclists drink and drive almost as often as car drivers do. The comparison of motorcyclists and car drivers showed similar patterns of drink driving processes.