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Review
. 2013 Sep;58(5):1238-1250.
doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12227. Epub 2013 Jul 23.

A review of alcohol-impaired driving: the role of blood alcohol concentration and complexity of the driving task

Teri L Martin  1 , Patricia A M Solbeck  1 , Daryl J Mayers  1 , Robert M Langille  1 , Yvona Buczek  1 , Marc R Pelletier  1
Affiliations
Review

A review of alcohol-impaired driving: the role of blood alcohol concentration and complexity of the driving task

Teri L Martin et al. J Forensic Sci. 2013 Sep.

Abstract

The operation of a motor vehicle requires the integrity of sensory, motor, and intellectual faculties. Impairment of these faculties following the consumption of alcohol has been studied extensively through laboratory, closed-course and on-road driving, and epidemiological studies. The scientific literature was reviewed critically, with a focus on low-to-moderate blood alcohol concentrations (BAC ≤ 0.100%), to identify the most reliable determinants of alcohol-impaired driving. Variables such as age, gender, driving skill, and tolerance were shown to have limited impact on impairment. It was concluded the most relevant variables are BAC and complexity of the driving task. The scientific literature provides a high degree of confidence to support the conclusion that a BAC of 0.050% impairs faculties required in the operation of a motor vehicle. Whether impairment is apparent depends upon the complexity of the driving task, which applies to both study design and actual driving.

Keywords: automobile driving; blood alcohol concentration; ethanol; forensic science; forensic toxicology; impairment; psychomotor performance; tolerance.

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