Alcohol-related problems and fitness to drive

This paper analyses the alcohol consumption patterns in Spanish drivers, th e incidence of alcohol-related problems and attempts to ascertain whether, in the end, drivers with alcohol-related problems are considered fit or unf it to drive. In accordance with Spanish and European Union legislation, dri ving Licences cannot be issued or renewed to people suffering from alcohol- related problems. A medical, psychological and eyesight evaluation was perf ormed to test the driving fitness of 8043 drivers attending 25 Medical Driv ing Test Centres on a national scale. Among other things, information was c ollected on the patterns of alcohol consumption, the AUDIT and CAGE tests, the incidence of alcohol-related problems (DSM-IV criteria for abuse, depen dence and alcohol-induced disorder), as well as an evaluation of their fitn ess to drive. In all, 60.3% of drivers drink alcohol on a regular basis; 7. 3% of drivers scored greater than or equal to8 points in the AUDIT test, an d 2% met criteria for DSM-IV alcohol abuse, dependence or induced disorder. Drivers with alcohol-related problems have been involved in traffic accide nts (23.2%) and have infringed driving regulations (18.7%) more frequently (P < 0.0001) than those without alcohol-related problems. Of those with alc ohol-related problems, 72.2% were considered fit to drive. The study reveal s that alcohol consumption is common among drivers, that a significant numb er of drivers have alcohol-related problems, and that three in four of the latter were considered fit to drive.