Katsohis D., Handanos J., Yannis G., “A comparative analysis of drinking and driving related accidents in Southern European countries”, Proceedings of the Transport Research Arena Conference, Ljubljana, April 2008.

This paper is aimed at the examination of the drinking & driving problem as demonstrated in terms of the European Programme SUNflower+6. Focus is placed on the Southern countries group (Greece – Portugal – Spain/Catalonia). The analysis comprises three components: official countermeasures (legal offence definitions, police powers to detect offenders and sanctions imposed). Sanctions also imply general treatment of drinking drivers. The evolution of both official regulations and enforcement reflects social conditions and attitudes in favour of or discouraging measures to deal with the problem.  The extent of the examined problem is approached through available statistics of appropriate indicators. Such data involve proportion of fatal accidents with presence of drivers exceeding alcohol level limits, proportion of killed drivers over limit, etc. Results of special studies served as supplementary sources of information. Common success or failure factors were identified, yielding some insight on further action that should be taken to better address various folds of drink driving. Enforcement intensification appears promising, but some rationalisation of police checks should be considered. Associated suggestions may be incorporated in a general road safety programme framework, capable of suiting varying requirements to deal for instance with novice drivers, repeating offenders etc.