Nonfatal Bicycle Accident Risk After an Evening of Alcohol Consumption

Verster, Joris C.; Herwijnen, Jessica van; Volkerts, Edmund R.; Olivier, Berend

doi:10.2174/1874941000902010001

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…It was found that, on average, almost 62% of the bicyclists in total had alcohol in their blood, and over 40% had a BAC level that is illegal to cycle with in the Netherlands. The average BAC of those who had consumed alcohol was 0.79 g/l, which is close to the estimated BAC of 0.95 g/l reported by Verster et al (2009). Furthermore, it was found that, unsurprisingly, as the night went on the blood alcohol concentration levels measured in bicyclists increased, with a steep increase in BAC between midnight and two AM.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

“…Despite this law, cycling under the influence of alcohol seems to be common in the Netherlands. For example, Verster et al (2009) found in a survey that most students travel home by bicycle after having consumed alcohol, with an estimated average BAC of 0.95 g/l. However, their estimate was based on a questionnaire study, not on actual measured levels.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The study was also performed some time ago in the USA where cycling is generally not a dominant mode of transport. Whereas, cycling under the influence of alcohol may be even more common on nights out in countries like the Netherlands, where bicycle use is popular (Verster et al, 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bicycling under the influence of alcohol

Waard

Houwing

Lewis-Evans

et al. 2016

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviou

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Objective: According to international data estimates the proportion bicyclists with a positive Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) who are involved in accidents ranges from 15 to 57%. This large variance, and the fact that the reliance on accident statistics means that only the BAC of injured bicyclists is being collected, shows that we do not really know what the average and variation in BAC of bicyclists is, particularly on nights out.Method: On a total of four nights between 5 PM and 8 AM BAC levels of bicyclists were collected with a Breathalyser (N=687). Samples were collected in two Dutch cities, one with a high (Groningen), and one with a modest, student population (The Hague). Results:The results showed that the percentage of bicyclists who had alcohol in their blood rose over the night from 7.7% at 6 PM to over 89% after 1 AM. Furthermore, the percentage of bicyclists with an illegal BAC above 0.5 g/l rose from zero percent at 6 PM to 68% at 1 AM. The average BAC of bicyclists with a BAC above zero was 0.79 g/l. Differences between the two cities were limited. Conclusion:Cycling with illegal levels of blood alcohol turns out to be very common on nights out in the Netherlands.3 Highlights -Breath samples of 687 bicyclists were taken between 5 PM and 8 AM across four nights -Overall 62% had a BAC above zero, 41.6% had a BAC above the legal limit (0.5 g/l) -The average BAC of bicyclists who tested positive on alcohol was 0.79 g/l -On nights out after 1 AM 89% of the bicyclists had a BAC above zero, 68% had a BAC > 0.5 g/l -BAC levels increased over the night 4

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bicycling under the influence of alcohol

Waard

Houwing

Lewis-Evans

et al. 2016

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviou

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“…That this is far from safe was shown by a survey among 800 Dutch college students (4). For example, the majority of Dutch students report that they do not travel home by car but use a bicycle to get home from the pub.…”

Section: Drivingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The relation between alcohol consumption and bicycle accident risk after an evening of alcohol consumption(4) …”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Alcohol hangover effects on driving and flying

Verster¹

2007

International Journal on Disability and Human Development

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Driving and flying are common ways of transportation. The impairing effects of alcohol intoxication on driving and flying skills have been extensively studied. It has been shown that driving and flying skills are impaired in a dose-dependent manner. Public health campaigns have drawn attention to the dangers of drunk driving and strict flying rules regarding alcohol use have been established. In contrast, driving and flying during alcohol hangover (i.e., when blood alcohol concentrations are zero) received relatively little scientific attention. Objective: To examine whether driving and flying ability is impaired during alcohol hangover. Methods: A literature review was performed to identify all clinical trials that examined the impact of alcohol hangover on driving and flying. Results: The few studies that have been published (N=ll) show that driving performance and flying during alcohol hangover are significantly impaired. Conclusion: Public health campaigns should point at the risks of driving the day after a heavy drinking session and flying regulations should adopt a strict zero alcohol policy.

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