Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference Proceedings, 2002, Sydney

Analysis of Victorian Police crash data has shown 21-26 year-old drivers were over-represented in alcohol-related fatal crashes during 1993-1996. This age range generally represents the period when Victorian probationary drivers progress to a full licence. Correspondingly, their legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit increases from zero to <.05g/100ml. The present stud y sought to examine whether this change in BAC limit impacts on the crash inv olvement of 21-26 year-old drivers by comparing their drinking and driving patterns to probationary drivers (18-20 years) and an experienced driver group (3 1-40 years). First, current crash data was examined to identify any recent changes in the crash trend. Second, a telephone survey was conducted throughout Victoria (N=696) to explore differences in the use of strategies to avoid drin k-driving and rationalisations for and against drink-driving by the three age /experience groups. Analyses of 1993-2000 Police-reported fatal crashes based on both recorded BAC level and High Alcohol Hours (HAH) showed consistent resu lts. From 1994-1997, 21-26 year olds had the highest level of involvement in alcoholrelated fatal crashes despite an overall decreasing trend. In 1998, 31- 40 year olds recorded the highest level; however, the trend has since reversed , with 21-26 year olds' involvement increasing both in 1999 and 2000. Self-re ported strategy use and rationalisations showed differences by age/experience, gender, and metro/rural divisions. The findings are discussed in terms of their implications for road safety policy and practice.