About one third of designated drivers tested positive for drinking in this onsite survey, and one half of these were impaired.
When a group drinks, a designated driver (DD) is often chosen who is presumably safe to drive. Investigators administered a validated measure of drinking habits and breath analyzer tests to 1071 adult patrons (mean age, 28) of a bar and restaurant district near a university; 165 participants identified themselves as DDs.
Among the DDs, 108 did not drink and had breath alcohol concentrations (BrACs) of 0. About half of the 57 drinking DDs had mean BrACs below 0.05 g/210 L (mean, 0.03 g/210 L), and the other half had mean BrACs of 0.09 g/210 L. Greater habitual levels of drinking predicted higher BrACs among DDs.
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportTower Foundation; Patrick Lee Foundation; Boehringer Ingelheim; Intra-Cellular Therapies; Janssen; Biogen; Allergan
Editorial BoardsMind and Brain; Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic; Current Psychiatry; Journal of Psychosomatic Research
DisclosuresGrant/Research SupportTower Foundation; Patrick Lee Foundation; Boehringer Ingelheim; Intra-Cellular Therapies; Janssen; Biogen; Allergan
Editorial BoardsMind and Brain; Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic; Current Psychiatry; Journal of Psychosomatic Research