Drinking and driving in rural Victoria: A survey of hotel patrons

Monash University Accident Research Centre – Report #154 - 1999

Authors: W.A. Harrison & M. Fitzharris

Abstract

The report presents the results of a survey of 250 hotel patrons in rural towns in Victoria, Australia. The data suggest that although enforcement is an important determinant of behaviour, the behaviour of respondents in relation to drink driving may also be accounted for (in part) in terms of social and lifestyle factors. Further analysis suggested that five clusters or groups of respondents could be identified. There was a relationship between cluster membership and drink-driving (and other variables) which suggests that a range of characteristics may be used to identify targetable groups of high-risk drivers for countermeasure development and targeting.

Executive Summary

This report is concerned with relationships between drink-driving behaviour and driver and situational characteristics amongst rural drivers. It arose from concerns that drink-driving enforcement programs had not been as successful in rural areas as they have been in the metropolitan area of Melbourne. The report extends earlier work performed by Harrison ( 1996).

Data from a survey of 250 hotel patrons in rural towns in Victoria, Australia, are presented and analysed in terms of the relationships between a range of variables and self-reported drink-driving behaviour. The survey was primarily concerned with the relationship between contact with drink-driving enforcement and attitudes and drink-driving behaviour.

The results of the survey suggest that the relationship between experiences of drink-driving enforcement and attitudes and behaviour is a complex one. The data suggest that the behaviour of respondents in relation to drink driving may be determined by social and lifestyle factors as well as their contact with enforcement activity.

The data were also used to investigate the possibility that there are subgroups of hotel patrons which could be defined in terms of their attitudes and behaviours in relation to avoiding detection for drink-driving. This analysis suggested that five clusters or groups of respondents could be identified. There was a relationship between cluster membership and drink-driving risk (and other variables) which underscores earlier evidence that a range of characteristics may be used to identify targetable groups of high-risk drivers for countermeasure development and targeting. The potential value of these results is discussed.

Sponsoring Organisation: Transport Accident Commission