[The impairment of the ability to drive with blood alcohol concentrations of 0,5 per mille. A review of the literature]

Abstract

As a contribution to the discussion surrounding reduction of the 0.08% limit, empirical data concerning the influence of blood alcohol levels around 0.05% on driving ability are reviewed. The papers reviewed, all of which satisfy the usual methodological standards, show that in the 500 subjects investigated there was already marked impairment of driving ability below blood alcohol levlels of 0.08%. Marked impairment is particularly apparent in those abilities which, with regard to the complexity of the perceptual and psychomotor patterns involved, are most relevant to the real driving situation: --decreased performance of simple and complex perceptual mechanisms, attention and vigilance; --decreased performance of psychomotor skills, resulting in impaired control of the vehicle in the real traffic situation. It can be concluded that even at these low blood alcohol levels an increased accident risk is to be expected.