BLOOD-ALCOHOL LEVELS OF PATRONS LEAVING LICENSED PREMISES IN PERTH, WESTERN-AUSTRALIA

We aimed to determine the alcohol consumption, blood alcohol levels (B ALs) and subsequent driving of patrons leaving 15 hotels and taverns i n Perth, Western Australia. Of the 414 patrons approached by interview ers on Friday and Saturday evenings, 307 (74 per cent) consented to ta ke part. Self-reported alcohol consumption, driving intentions, percei ved levels of fitness to drive and demographic information were collec ted using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Observations of s ubsequent driving were recorded and BALs were measured by breath-alcoh ol meter. The patrons surveyed were predominantly male (76 per cent) a nd aged between 18 and 35 (87 per cent). Average reported alcohol cons umption was 7.6 standard drinks for males and 4.9 drinks for females, around double the daily amount recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council. Further, 23 per cent of the sample had consu med more than 10 drinks (male) and 6 drinks (female). With respect to BALs, 37 per cent of patrons exceeded the drink-drive limit then in fo rce of 0.087 and 56 per cent exceeded 0.05. Of greater concern, 23 per cent who were over the 0.08 legal limit were subsequently observed to drive even though they had been informed of their BAL and legal statu s with respect to driving. The results suggest that most young patrons drinking in Perth metropolitan hotels and taverns consume alcohol on such occasions in excess of limits currently recommended by health aut horities and attain blood alcohol levels dangerous for driving. This i s likely to remain unchanged without public debate as to the responsib ility of licensees in serving a potentially harmful psychotropic drug and effective enforcement of liquor licensing laws.