10.1% of men say they drive after drinking – 12/10/2023 – Balance and Health
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Around 10% of men say they drive after drinking alcohol, while among women the rate is just over 2%, reveals this year’s edition of the Vigitel survey (Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Survey Telephone), from the Ministry of Health.
The study brings together responses from 21,690 adults from the 26 capitals and the Federal District, interviewed about alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, diet, physical activity, perception of their own health and exams.
In all 27 locations, 5.9% of individuals reported driving a motor vehicle after drinking alcohol. In some cities, however, rates were higher. In Palmas, for example, the combination of alcohol and driving was mentioned by 16% of participants, reaching 24.5% among men and 8.5% among women.
For the president of Abramet (Brazilian Association of Traffic Medicine), Antonio Meira Júnior, regional differences may be related to inspection standards in each location — every hour, around eight drivers are fined in Brazil for having drunk alcohol or psychoactive substances before driving.
The variation between male and female drivers involves education and a sense of protection. “Studies have shown that women are more cautious when driving,” she says.
The highest frequencies among men were observed in Palmas, Teresina (23.2%) and Boa Vista (20%), and the lowest occurred in Recife (3.6%), Natal (4.2%) and Porto Alegre (4 .4%). Among women, the highest frequencies were recorded in Palmas, Cuiabá (7.2%) and Boa Vista (5%), and the lowest in Recife (0.2%), Maceió (0.3%) and Natal (0. 8%).
| Cities with the highest rates of drivers who report drinking alcohol | |||
| Location | Total | Men | Women |
| clap | 16% | 24.5% | 8.5% |
| Teresina | 12.9% | 23.2% | 4.4% |
| Good view | 12.2% | 20% | 5% |
| Large field | 9.4% | 16.1% | 3.5% |
| Florianópolis | 9.4% | 9.9% | 4.7% |
| Brazil | 5.9% | 10.1% | 2.2% |
| Source: Vigitel – Ministry of Health | |||
The doctor also explains why the research considers any amount of alcohol in the analysis of driving, unlike questions about abusive consumption, which specify the number of doses. As each individual has their own weight, height and habits, drinking has varying impacts and there is no way to establish a standard amount that will not cause harm when driving. Each one is altered with different concentrations. “The only safe standard is zero”, he argues.
To measure the problem, Meira highlights that the risk of involvement in a fatal accident for drivers who drink one or two doses – each dose is equivalent to a can of beer, a glass of wine or half a glass of whiskey – is 4.6 times greater than for sober drivers.
Alcohol consumption reduces the ability to perceive speed and obstacles. “Alcohol reduces peripheral vision, it’s as if the person doesn’t have mirrors in the car,” he adds.
Another impact of drinking is the decrease in self-criticism. “The driver does what he shouldn’t do at the wheel. There is euphoria, excitement and he ends up abusing the speed and the limit, neglecting the risks”, says the doctor.
“There are people who go so far as to say: ‘When I drink, I drive better’. It’s the opposite. You lose your self-criticism”, he highlights.
One tip from Meira to avoid these situations is: if there is any doubt about drinking, don’t drive. The decision not to consume alcohol must be made before leaving the garage because, when arriving at the bar, party or meeting with friends, there will be excitement, encouragement from others and no one sober to take your car back.
“Traffic tragedies involving alcohol are not accidental. They could have been avoided”, concludes Meira.
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