Effect of Ingestion of Distilled Spirits on Automobile Driving Skill

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Abstract
The results of practical road tests on 50 experienced automobile drivers who consumed known amounts of 70-proof distilled spirits (40% alcohol by volume) are described. Under the given experimental conditions signs of impaired driving ability were observed in 5 out of 7 drivers whose venous blood alcohol levels did not exceed 0.5 per mille. Most drivers were impaired at a venous blood level of 1.2 per mille all drivers examined above this concentration exhibited signs of impairment before reaching 1.5 per mille. Heavy drinkers showed less impairment of driving skill than light drinkers at the same blood alcohol levels, but 8 out of the 10 heavy drinkers tested exhibited signs of impaired driving skill at venous blood alcohol concentrations ranging from 0.51 to 1.20 per mille. Statistically, half of the drivers were significantly impaired at a blood alcohol level of 0.8 per mille. Car-handling ability (as distinct from ability to avoid hitting objects) deteriorated considerably in most drivers even at relatively low blood alcohol levels. The authors conclude that the effects of alcohol on driving performance, noted during the experiment, would be magnified under actual driving conditions.

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