Impact of the 1970 Legal BAC 0.05 mg Percent Limit Legislation on Drunk-Driver-Involved Traffic Fatalities, Accidents, and DWI in Japan

• NCJ Number: 175640
• Journal: Substance Use & Misuse Volume: 33 Issue: 14 Dated: 1998 Pages: 2757-2788
• Author(s): E B R Deshapriya; N Iwase
• Date Published: 1998
• Length: 32 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article reports on the effect of 1970s legislation on alcohol-related motor vehicle fatalities in Japan.

Abstract

Official statistics concerning motor vehicle fatalities indicate that alcohol involvement in fatal crashes has declined substantially in Japan since 1970, when the legal blood alcohol content (BAC) was lowered to 0.05 mg percent. Using official data over the 1960-1995 period, a study reports conclusive evidence that 1970s legislation is having a measurable and long-term effect on alcohol-related motor vehicle fatalities. Enactment of the lower legal BAC limit with a combination of other severe sanctions has been more desirable in preventing alcohol-related fatalities in the long term. This article proposes extensive research to investigate performance at the lower level limit in other societies in order to inspire a strong international lobby to support the reduced BAC limit for drivers all over the world. Tables, figures, appendix, references