Patterns of alcohol consumption and road safety awereness - An exploratory study among young in two South African communities.

Abstract

Paper presented at the 32nd Annual Southern African Transport Conference 8-11 July 2013 "Transport and Sustainable Infrastructure", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa.

This project examines the patterns of alcohol consumption and road safety risks facing young people in two South African communities. The research indicates that levels of consumption in both communities are higher than national averages, with young females consuming comparable amounts and with comparable frequency than males. Hand in hand with high consumption rates is an elevated exposure to actual and potential collision risk – one in nine youngsters have already been involved in a collision of some sort (most commonly as pedestrians) and many are exposed to the dangers of drunk drivers both as pedestrians and as passengers. The level of real understanding about the dangers of drinking and mobility are, however, extremely low – in almost all cases the physiological impact of alcohol was poorly comprehended and even basic knowledge such as national Blood Alcohol Concentration limits are simply not known or understood.