PUBLICATIONS BY TOPIC: ALCOHOL IMPAIRMENT

Bishop, S. C., Johnson, G., Smith, L., D. D. Fiorentino, Garcia, T., Garcia, R., Breyer, C., & Loomis, W. D. (in press). Manual versus automatic sampling variations of a preliminary alcohol screening device. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 33, 521-524.

Utilization of a manual sampling function as an alternative to the automatic sampling function in the Alco-Sensor IV Black Dot Model has been recognized by the manufacturer to potentially underestimate an individual’s true breath alcohol content (BrAC). A controlled human subject study was conducted to analyze the possible breath-sampling differences between the standard automatic technique and three manual techniques. Subjects were dosed with vodka and orange juice and then tested during the descending limb of their BrAC curve. Differences between the automatic and the manual techniques were found to be statistically significant with the three manual techniques underestimating the BrAC. The average maximum difference between the automatic BrAC level, as compared to the lowest manual level in each data set, was 27.9% (median 27.7%) with underestimations from 20.8% to 40.0%. In no instance did any of the manual techniques produce higher BrACs than the automatic technique.

Blomberg, R. D. Peck, R. C., Moskowitz, H, Brurs, M., & Fiorentino, D. (2009).  The Long Beach/Fort Lauderdale Relative Risk Study. Journal of Safety Research, 40, 285-292.

The role of alcohol as a major factor in traffic crash causation has been firmly established. However, controversy remains as to the precise shape of the relative risk function and the BAC at which crash risk begins to increase. This study used a case-control design in two locations: Long Beach, California, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Data were collected on 2,871 crashes of all severities and a matched control group of drivers selected from the same time, location, and direction of travel as the crash drivers. Of the 14,985 sample drivers, 81.3% of the crash drivers and 97.9% of the controls provided a valid BAC specimen. When adjusted for covariates and nonparticipation bias, increases in relative risk were observed at BACs of .04–.05, and the elevations in risk became very pronounced when BACs exceeded .10. The results provide strong support for .08 per se laws and for state policies that increase sanctions for BACs in excess of .15.

Fiorentino, D., Cure, M., & Kipper, J. (2007). Programs across the United States that aid motorists in the reporting of impaired drivers to law enforcement (Report No. DOT HS 810-750). Washington, DC: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The objective of this project was to identify States that use a statewide cellular drunk driving reporting program which provide free airtime and allow motorists with cell phones to dial a special number (such as *DUI) to report suspected drunk drivers. Although the information received from States was not always complete, we learned that 6 States have dedicated programs to report DWI drivers, and 45 reported “911” or general emergency programs that can be used to report DWI drivers. In most cases, calls to report DWI drivers made from cellular phones are routed to the appropriate law enforcement agency regardless of whether the reporting individual dialed a dedicated number or 911. Both dedicated DWI and 911-type programs may serve equally well in reporting DWI drivers.

Moskowitz, H., Burns, M., Fiorentino, D., Smiley, A., & Zador, P. (2000). Driver characteristics and impairment at various BACs (Report no. DOT HS 809 075). Washington, DC: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ►  See it

The purpose of this experiment was to determine a) the magnitude of alcohol impairment of driving skills as BACs varied from zero to 0.10% and b) whether age, gender, and drinking practice characteristics of the subjects would differentially affect alcohol impairment in a sample of subjects who were broadly representative of the driving population. Using a driving simulator and a divided attention task, 168 subjects were examined at BACs to 0.10% for moderate and heavy drinkers and to 0.08% for light drinkers. Alcohol significantly impaired performance on some measures at all examined BACs from 0.02% to 0.10%. The magnitude of the impairment increased with increasing BAC. Differences in the magnitude of alcohol impairment between categories of age, gender, and drinking practices were small, inconsistent in direction, and did not reach statistical significance. It is possible that significant differences would have emerged if a wider range of subject characteristics and BACs had been examined. BACs over 0.10% were not tested, and the sample did not include subjects under 19 years and over 70 years, or very light and very heavy drinkers. Within those limits, no significant differences in the magnitude of alcohol impairment within the categories of age, gender, and drinking practice appeared for this diverse sample.

Moskowitz, H., & Fiorentino, D. (2000). A review of the literature on the effects of low doses of alcohol on driving-related skills (Report no. DOT HS 809 028). Washington, DC: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. ►  See it

Moskowitz, H. A., Fiorentino, D. (2000, April). A review of the literature on the effects of low doses of alcohol on driving-related skills. (Report no. DOT HS 809 028). Washington, DC: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  A review of the scientific literature regarding the effects of alcohol on driving-related skills was conducted. One hundred and twelve articles - from 1981 to 1997 - were reviewed. Results were indexed by BAC and behavioral area and entered into a database. Two separate analyses were conducted. The first analysis determined the lowest BAC at which impairment is reliably present in driving-related skills. The second analysis determined the thresholds of impairment for each of twelve separate behavioral areas. It was concluded that: 1) Alcohol impairs some driving skills beginning with any significant departure from zero BAC. By BACs of 0.05 g/dl, the majority of the experimental studies examined reported significant impairment. By 0.08 g/dl, more than 94% of the studies reviewed exhibited skills impairment. 2) Specific performance skills are differentially affected by alcohol. Some skills are significantly impaired by BACs of 0.01 g/dl, while others do not show impairment until BACs of 0.06 g/dl. 3) Discrepancies between the reported BAC threshold of impairment within a behavioral area reflected a lack of standardization of testing methods, instruments, and measures in the studies reviewed. 4) All drivers are expected to experience impairment in some driving-related skills by 0.08 g/dl or less.

PUBLICATIONS BY TOPIC

The effects of age on driving performance and behavior  [+]

Alcohol impairment

Cultural differences in drinking and drinking and driving  [+]

Pharmaceutical drugs  [+]

Standardized field sobriety tests  [+]

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