You already know, of course, that His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf has agreed to inaugurate our conference. What you don´t know, and this again indicates the importance of our conference, is that, rather uniquely, our King wishes to stay for the whole opening session.
T2000 attracts a lot of interest. We have received some 240 papers, most of which have been submitted in the final version, so the program will be loaded. We are still waiting for 20 papers and hope that the authors wish to see their contributions in the printed proceedings which will be available when you register in Stockholm.
The section Driver Characteristics contains some 35 papers; Pharmacology and Toxicology 25 papers; Epidemiology, 40 papers; Rehabilitation, 9 papers; Prevention, 51 papers; Driving Performance, 13 papers; the session on the Worldwide decline in drinking and driving, 6 papers; the session on Alternative specimens and the ROSITA project, 13 papers; the session on Alcohol Interlock Devices, 9 papers; a session on the Council of Europe project on illicit drugs and road traffic, 6 papers. A symposium on biological markers is in the planning. In addition to this we have 7 plenary presentations and some 20 poster presentations.
In order not to have more than four parallel sessions we have had to change the scheduling of the program slightly. You will have to get up half an hour earlier since we will be starting our deliberations on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 8:30 instead of 9:00 as was indicated in the second announcement. Another change that we have had to make is to use the morning of Friday for scientific sessions.
So, do not plan on leaving our beautiful capital Stockholm until late on Friday afternoon. You will be missing 34 important papers that will be presented on Friday, followed by the closing session, if you sneak out early. Remember also that the Banquet will take place on Thursday evening. I can assure you that it will be a memorable event. We have said it before and we do it again - we are not telling you more about it now. It is going to be a very nice surprise.
We would like to help those who cannot make up their minds and usually wait until the last moment. Register now - otherwise you may have to stay in a hotel a fair distance away from the venue because of the demand for hotel rooms in May in Stockholm. Public transportation is very good in Stockholm but common experience tells us that people wish to stay close to the venue and the places where everything happens.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Stockholm in May. Please visit our website for information about T2000. The address is: http://www.ICADTS2000.com. You can also register for the conference on line.
Hans Laurell
President of ICADTS and convener of T2000
A Special Report, Dwi Offenders Under Correctional Supervision prepared by Laura M. Maruschak of the Bureau of Justice Statistics of the U.S. Department of Justice was recently released. In 1997 in the United States an estimated 513,200 offenders were on probation or in jail or prison for driving while intoxicated by alcohol (DWI): 454,500 on probation, 41,100 in jail, and 17,600 in State prison. DWI offenders accounted for nearly 14% of probationers, 7% of jail inmates, and 2% of State prisoners.
Compared to other offenders, DWI offenders are older, better educated, and more commonly white and male. Of DWI offenders, about half of those in jail reported drinking for at least 4 hours prior to their arrest, while about half on probation reported drinking at least 3 hours. About half of DWI offenders in jail reported consuming at least 5.8 ounces of ethanol (equivalent to about 12 beers or 6 glasses of wine); about half of those on probation reported consuming 4.0 ounces of ethanol. The estimated average blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of DWI offenders in jail was .24 grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood; for those on probation it was .19 g/dl.
These findings are based on personal interviews of probationers, jail inmates, and State prisoners.
Between 1990 and 1997 the number of arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs decreased 18%, while the number of licensed drivers increased nearly 15%. Other findings include: 1) the largest number of DWI offenders under correctional supervision (89%) were on probation; the remaining 11% were in jail (8%) and in State prison (3%), 2) one-third of DWI offenders on probation compared to about two-thirds in jail reported prior DWI sentences. Of DWI offenders, 34% in jail and 8% on probation reported three or more prior DWI offenses, 3) of DWI offenders, about 37% on probation and nearly 47% in jail exhibited indicators of past alcohol dependence. Over half of DWI offenders in jail (66%) or on probation (55%) reported a domestic dispute while under the influence of alcohol, 4) of DWI offenders on probation, over half reported ever receiving alcohol treatment or participating in a self-help program. More probationers than jail inmates reported that since their sentence began they had received alcohol treatment (46% versus 4%) or had participated in a self-help program (62% versus 17%).
The 1999 report, NCJ 172212, can be obtained from the BJS web site at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs.
The Transportation Research Board's Committee on Alcohol, Other Drugs and Transportation sponsored six technical sessions at TRB's 79th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in January. The topics included: 1) Youth Issues: Graduated Licensing and Zero Tolerance, 2) Old Lessons, New Rules: Drug Testing in the New Millennium, 3) Results of the Workshop on Alcohol and Drug Research Needs and Priorities, 4) Impaired driving Around the World: Lessons Learned, 5) Special Populations and Traffic Safety, and 6) Ask the Experts: Can We Control the Repeat-Driving-Under-the-Influence-Offender? Committee Chairman, ICADTS Executive Board member Dr. Allan Williams, has collected short summaries of all the presentations. If you would like a copy of the presentations, contact Dr Williams at, Tel: 703-247-1560, Fax: 703-247-1587, Email: awilliams@iihs.org. Two of the presentations are summarized in separate articles below.
At TRB's 79th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in January, Dr. Jack McLean, ICADTS Past-President, discussed the state of drink driving in Australia. The percentage of fatally injured drivers and motorcycle riders with a blood alcohol concentration at or above 0.05gms/100ml has fallen from 44 percent in 1981 to 28 percent in 1997. In 1997, most (57%) of the positive BAC cases were above 0.15, with comparatively few below 0.05 (15%). In general, the drinking driver who crashes and is injured, in these cases fatally, is at a BAC that is well beyond almost all legal BAC limits in any country. All states in Australia now have a legal BAC limit of 0.05 and zero, or 0.02 for young or novice drivers, and drivers of heavy vehicles and public transport vehicles.
The police in all states conduct random breath alcohol testing (RBT). No prior cause is needed to conduct a breath test because a condition of obtaining a driver's license is to agree to comply with a request by the police for such a test.
In two states it is mandatory for a blood sample to be taken from any person over at least 15 years of age who presents at a hospital for treatment of injuries thought to have been sustained in a road crash. This blood sample is then analysed to determine the blood alcohol concentration, if any.
Recent developments include "non-random" random breath testing in South Australia. The police select a pub or tavern and set up breath testing stations on all adjoining roads, usually between midnight and 4am. This exercise is followed by a discussion with the publican on server practices.
Two states are trialing alcohol interlock programs but they are still at an early stage.
At TRB's 79th Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in January Dr. Charles Mercier-Guyon, ICADTS Assistant Treasurer, reviewed alcohol impaired driving in France.
With more than 8,000 traffic fatalities every year and the consumption of 11 liters of pure alcohol per year per inhabitant, France is still very concerned about alcohol-related accidents. Alcohol is involved in 8% of casualties, 19% of fatal accidents and 45% in drivers involved in fatal single vehicle accidents.
There are two blood alcohol limits in France: 1) 0.5 g/l is the limit for a simple offence leading to a fine and the loss of 3 points off the driving licence (from a total of 12 points), 2) 0.8 g/l is the limit for a penal offence leading to a suspension of the driving licence, a fine, jail and, depending on the circumstances, to the revocation of the driving licence. The revocation is automatic in the case of recidivism. The suspension can last from 1 to to 5 years. An administrative suspension of the driving licence is decided by the Prefect, based on a blood alcohol level, prior to the judicial decision.
In France, blood alcohol testing for drivers is conducted in most injury or fatal accidents. Breath alcohol testing is conducted in all other cases. More than 8,000,000 tests are conducted every year, mainly at check points. No special requirement, such as a reasonable suspicion is necessary. Before regranting (or before the authorization of a new examination for a new licence in case of revocation) a medical examination is required, conducted by a medical commission of driving licences depending of the Prefect. In case of casual use of alcohol, the licence can be given for 1 year, followed by a new medical examination (probatory period). In case of chronic use of alcohol, the licence cannot be regranted before the normalisation of clinical and biological symptoms.
Current police procedures, based on alcohol detection, are not useful for the detection of drug related impairment. In the next few years the government will probably consider legislation to implement simple clinical tests able to give the police the ability to detect drug related impairment.
Prevention campains are based on the concepts of sober driver and no more than 2 glasses, are underway to target special populations.
A new ICADTS working group has been established to examine the extent to which alcohol is a factor in crashes involving recreational vehicles -- snowmobiles, boats, personal watercraft, all terrain vehicles, and bicycles. Anyone interested in participating in this working group or who may have pertinent data should contact Doug Beirness either by Tel: 613-238-5235 or Email: dougb@trafficinjuryresearch.com. The first meeting of the working group will be held the T2000 conference in Stockholm.
This article was contributed by Dr. Sidney Slavin, Research Optometrist.
As an optometrist with more than twenty-five years researching motion sickness, I have received the first and only U.S. patent for special Fresnel prism eyewear that simulates alcohol-drug intoxication. The eyewear creates at least 20 negative visual-perceptual effects including loss of balance, spatial and temporal disorientation, loss of coordination, double vision, and general discombobulation. While experiencing these impairments, the subject remains fully cognitively alert and capable of vividly remembering the entire simulated intoxication experience. In this way, law enforcement officers and others can experience and demonstrate intoxication effects without actually consuming alcohol or drugs.
In one dramatic test situation, 500 professional drivers with exceptionally safe driving records have been challenged to navigate on foot a hallway strewn with large stuffed animals. The stuffed animals are stand-ins for live child-pedestrians. "Don't kill the kids!" we tell them. While sober, the drivers are able to walk quickly through the corridor without touching any of the stuffed animals. While wearing the simulation eyewear, all 500 drivers bumped, stomped, trampled on, or dragged at least one stuffed animal. This demonstration shows how easily even the best and safest drivers can be turned into traffic murderers by intoxication.
After Princess Diana was killed, the special eyewear showed how impossible it was for Diana to have survived as a passenger in a car being driven at 80 mph by a drunken chauffeur. Two lines of volunteers were formed making up a mock Paris tunnel. Each volunteer "chauffeur" was able to run safely through the tunnel while "sober" (i.e., not wearing the special glasses). Once the special simulation eyewear was worn, the tunnel sidewalls literally caved in as the volunteer chauffeur bumped and crashed into the people making up the tunnel.
Four pairs of lenses have been created that simulate different intoxication levels. The levels have been validated using 1,000 people who have experienced real intoxication. The visual simulation theory is described in my new book, Death, Fender Benders and Disorientation, scheduled for publication in mid 2000. For more information, contact Dr. Slavin at P.O. Box 29757, Richmond, VA 23242-0757, Phone: 804-360-1442, Fax: 804-360-1892, E-mail: zeve@Richmond.infi.net.
A traffic safety campaign in Norway, called "Speak Out!," has been credited with leading to a 30 percent reduction in the annual number of killed or injured car passengers between the ages of 16 and 19.
The campaign was launched in 1993 and gradually became more intense. It appeals to car passengers to speak out about dangerous driving by telling drivers to drive more carefully.
The campaign consists of a combination of information and enforcement. Information is given in schools, while enforcement generally takes the form of roadside checks carried out jointly by the police and officials of Norway's Public Roads Administration.
While road safety campaigns don't always work, Norway's Institute of Transport Economics says that factors found in "Speak Out!" characterize successful campaigns. They are a clearly defined target group, simple message, and long-term effort - the campaign is in its 7th year. It also includes police enforcement, a high media profile, and appeals to the self interest of teenagers in avoiding personal injury. The campaign does not preach morals or use scare propaganda.
For more information: Harald Aas, Norway Institute of Transport Economics, Tel: 47 22 57 38 00, Fax: 47 22 57 02 90, Email: harald.aas@toi.no. (Source: Nordic Road & Transport Research)
The U.K. Road Traffic Act of 1991 allowed certain courts to offer drink/drive offenders the opportunity of attending a rehabilitation course. Successful completion would result in a reduction of up to 25% of the period of disqualification. Courses ran for a period 8-10 weeks; are paid for by the offender and follow a framework provided by the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions. Thirty six months after the original conviction, only 3.4% of offenders who attended courses had been convicted of a subsequent drink/drive offence, compared with 9.6% of those who had not. Correcting for factors such as selection bias, the courses appear to have reduced reconviction rates by slightly more than 50%. (Source: Road Safety Research, DETR, January 2000, web site: detr.gov.uk)
March 12-14, 2000
Lifesavers 2000-National Conference on Highway Safety Priorities-Atlanta, Georgia, USA
For information, contact Lifesavers, PO Box 30045, Alexandria, VA 22310-0045 USA, Fax: 703-922-7780.
May 14-19, 2000
The Robert F. Borkenstein Course on Alcohol, Drugs and Highway Safety: Testing, Research and Litigation Bloomington, Indiana, USA
Contact the Center for Studies of Law in Action, Indiana University, Sycamore Hall 302, Bloomington, IN 47404, Tel: 812-855-1783, Fax: 812-855-7542, Web site: http://www.borkenstein.com.
May 21-26, 2000
15th International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety, ICADTS Jubilee Conference Stockholm, Sweden
Contact the Conference Secretariat, c/o The Swedish National Road Administration, SE-781 87 Borlänge, Sweden, Tel: 46 243 75000, Fax: 46 243 75825, Email: t2000@vv.se. Also visit the new T'2000 web site: http://www.ICADTS2000.com. (See related article)
May 28-31, 2000
17th World Congress of the International Association for Accident and Traffic Medicine-Stockholm, Sweden
Contact the Conference Secretariat, Box 23201, SE-104 35 Stockholm, Sweden, Tel/Fax: 46 8 30 25 07, Email: Secretary@iaatm2000.com.
June 1-3, 2000
2nd European Symposium on Workplace Drug Testing, Padova, Italy
For information and submitting abstract (due on February 28), contact the Organizing Committee at Centre of Behavioural and Forensic Toxicology, University of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121 Padova, Italy, Tel: 39 049 8272225, Fax: 39 049 663155, Email: brusini@ux1.unipd.it or visit the web site: http://www.ewdts.org.
June 11-14, 2000
Alcohol Policy 12 - Washington, DC, USA
The conference's theme is Alcohol and Crime, Research and Practice for Prevention. Driving under the influence and underage drinking will be a focus. For information, contact the National Crime Prevention Council, Tel:202-261-4165, Fax: 202-785-2134, web site: http://www.ncpc.org/alcoholpolicy.
September 3-7, 2000
Demand Reduction in Practice, The 43rd ICAA International Institute on the Prevention and Treatment of Dependencies - Bahrain
Contact the International Council on Alcohol and Addictions, Case postal 189, CH-1001, Lausanne, Switzerland, Fax: 41-21-320 98 17, Email: infoconf@icaa.ch.
September 4-7, 2000
International Conference on Traffic and Transport Psychology-Berne, Switzerland
To submit an abstract or for information, contact ICTTP, c/o Swiss Council for Accident Prevention, Laupenstrasse 11, PO Box 8236, CH-3001 Berne, Switzerland, Tel: 41-31-390-22 22, Fax: 41-31-390-22 30, Email: icttp@bfu.ch.