Onset of a declining trend in fatal motor vehicle crashes involving drunk-driving in Japan.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In Japan, introduction of severe drunk-driving penalties and a lower blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit in June 2002 was followed by a substantial reduction in fatal alcohol-related crashes. However, previous research suggests that this reduction started before the legal amendments. The causes of the decrease have not been studied in detail.

Methods

Monthly police data on fatal road traffic crashes from January 1995 to August 2006 were analyzed using a joinpoint regression model to identify change-points in the trends of the proportion of drunk-driving among drivers primarily responsible for fatal crashes. We analyzed the data by BAC level (≥0.5 or <0.5 mg/ml), then conducted analyses stratified by vehicle type (car or motorcycle) and age group (<45 or ≥45 ye

SUBMITTER: Nakahara S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3700255 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature