Have drivers at alcohol outlets changed their behavior after the new traffic law?

De Boni, Raquel B.; Pechansky, Flavio; de Vasconcellos, Mauricio T.; Bastos, Francisco I. · 2014 · DOAJ

DOI: 10.1590/1516-4446-2013-1131

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Summary

This study investigates whether drivers in Brazil altered their drinking and driving behaviors following the implementation of Federal Law 11.705/08, which established stricter penalties for driving under the influence (DUI). Motivated by the high prevalence of alcohol-related traffic crashes and previous findings indicating that legislative changes alone may not significantly reduce risky behaviors, the research aimed to identify the factors associated with behavioral change among drivers who had consumed alcohol at outlets. The researchers conducted a three-stage probability sampling survey in Porto Alegre, Brazil, between April and December 2009. The study targeted individuals aged 18 or older who had driven in the previous year and were leaving alcohol outlets after drinking. Of 3,118 individuals approached, 683 met the inclusion criteria and completed structured interviews. Data collection included self-reported behavioral changes, demographic information, perceptions of the law, and objective measures such as breathalyzer tests for blood alcohol content (BAC) and saliva specimens for drug screening. Logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with self-reported changes in DUI behavior. The results indicated that 60.3% of drivers reported no change in their behavior after the law’s enactment. Among those who did change their behavior, the most common strategy was drinking less (49.8%), followed by using public transportation (31%) and employing designated drivers (17.4%). Logistic regression revealed that having a favorable opinion of the law was the strongest predictor of behavioral change (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 4.32; 95% CI 2.1–8.9). Other significant factors included drinking in areas with high alcohol outlet density (adjusted OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.1–2.8), older age (45+ years), higher educational attainment, and binge drinking in the previous 12 months. Notably, there were no statistically significant differences in the correct understanding of the law or the intention to drive after drinking between those who changed their behavior and those who did not. The study concludes that awareness of the new legislation was insufficient to promote widespread behavioral change, despite over 70% of respondents viewing DUI as dangerous. The strong association between a favorable opinion of the law and behavioral change suggests that integrating education with enforcement efforts could be effective. The authors emphasize that while most drivers supported the law, actual compliance remained low, highlighting the need for targeted prevention strategies, particularly for younger drivers and those in high-density alcohol outlet areas. The findings underscore the complexity of translating legal frameworks into behavioral modifications and suggest that future policies should focus on enhancing public understanding and reinforcing safer driving practices through comprehensive educational initiatives.

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• public messaging

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• Applied Guidance: countermeasure evaluation
• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence