Effect of Low Blood-Alcohol Concentrations in Simulated Day and Night Driving

Abstract

A study was carried out to determine the influence of low concentrations of alcohol in the blood upon performance in a simulated driving task, under day and night driving conditions. Sixteen male Ss were administered three orange drinks, the last two containing pure alcohol. Mean peak blood-alcohol concentrations of 0.012% and 0.068% were obtained. After each drink S was given some vision tests and then received three trials lasting 12 min. each on the simulator at daylight and night illumination, and with glare. Four Ss also served as controls. The larger dose significantly reduced tracking accuracy under all three driving conditions. The smaller dose detrimentally affected performance in the glare condition but not in the other two treatments. Visual acuity was significantly decreased for the large dose. It was suggested that the legal limit describing alcoholic influence in driving was too conservative, and that it should be reduced in night driving conditions.