Drink-driver casualties in Victoria: Peak periods on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights

Blood alcohol estimations are compulsory for all road accident casualties aged 15 years or older who present at public hospitals in Victoria. This article examines the results of blood alcohol estimations performed between 1978 and 1980 in casualties known to have been motor vehicle drivers (excluding motorcyclists). There were three times more male than female driver casualties. Blood alcohol levels in excess of the legal limit of 11 mmol/L (0.05 g/100 mL) were found in 36% of male and 12% of female driver casualties; in approximately half of these, blood alcohol levels exceeded 33 mmol/L (0.15 g/100 mL). Between Monday and Wednesday inclusive, the legal limit was exceeded in 19% of driver casualties. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the percentage of driver casualties with blood alcohol levels above the legal limit was 30%, 40%, and 32%, respectively. The percentage of male driver casualties with illegal blood alcohol levels was highest on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights (6 p.m. to 6 a.m.), and attained 56%, 62%, and 65% respectively. Of all drink-driver casualties, 56% sustained their injuries on these three nights. These results direct attention to the need for improved driver education and behaviour, and for intensified law enforcement by traffic police during Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.