Alcohol dependency as a predictor of self-reported risky driving in Lithuanian traffic offenders

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between alcohol dependency, objective and subjective driving aspects of risky driving in Lithuanian traffic offenders’ sample. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire measured alcohol dependency (AUDIT test) and self-reported risky driving (DBQ). Additional questions evaluated objective indicators of risky driving and demographic information. The sample of the study consist of traffic offenders, who lost driving license because of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) (N=363), driving and speeding (N=223) and because of other traffic violations (N=109). Results: Higher scores of AUDIT are significantly related to higher number of driving errors and intentional traffic violations in all respondents groups. Higher scores of AUDIT test are related to increase of drink-driving rates and more frequent road accidents in those, who violated traffic rules because of DUI and driving and speeding (only higher drink-driving rates). Conclusion: Traffic rules violations might be evaluated as the outcomes of problematic alcohol consumption. Therefore, changes in risky driving of traffic offenders could be achieved by interventions, which could be oriented to problematic alcohol consumption.