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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2011 Apr;26(3):216-23.
doi: 10.1002/hup.1195.

Alcohol effects on simulated driving in frequent and infrequent binge drinkers

Kimberly A Bernosky-Smith  1 , Erin E Shannon, Alicia J Roth, Anthony Liguori
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Alcohol effects on simulated driving in frequent and infrequent binge drinkers

Kimberly A Bernosky-Smith et al. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2011 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: Compared with non‐bingers, binge drinkers are more likely to drive while intoxicated. The extent to which binge frequency impacts confidence in driving and subsequent driving impairment is unknown. This study compared the effects of an experimenter‐delivered alcohol binge on subjective impairment and simulated driving ability in female high‐frequency and low‐frequency bingers.

Methods: Female drinkers were assigned to high‐frequency (n = 30) or low‐frequency (n = 30) binge groups based on their Alcohol Use Questionnaire responses. At 30‐min intervals within a 2‐h period, participants received either a placebo drink (n = 15 per group) or a 0.2 g/kg dose of alcohol (n = 15 per group; cumulative dose 0.8 g/kg). Self‐reported impairment, driving confidence, and simulated driving were then measured.

Results: Self‐reported confidence in driving was significantly lower after alcohol than after placebo in low‐frequency but not highfrequency bingers. Self‐reported impairment and collisions during simulated driving were significantly greater after alcohol than after placebo in both low‐frequency and high‐frequency bingers.

Conclusions: The impairing effects of a single alcohol binge on driving ability in women are not influenced by binge frequency. However, high binge frequency may be associated with a less cautious approach to post‐binge driving.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean expired breath alcohol levels, before and after behavioral testing, of the 30 participants (15 Low Frequency Bingers, 15 High Frequency Bingers) who received alcohol. * Significant difference pre- vs. post-testing within High Frequency Bingers, p < 0.05
Figure 2
Figure 2
Participants' responses to Visual Analog Scales administered after alcohol. Among Low Frequency but not High Frequency bingers, confidence in driving was significantly lower after alcohol than after placebo (*p < 0.05).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Driving errors after alcohol and placebo. Alcohol increased collisions (A) and centerline crossings (B) in both the High and Low Frequency groups (main effect of alcohol, p < 0.05).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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