Drinks Initiatives

CONTRIBUTOR

• Entreprise & Prévention

PARTNER(S)

• European Commission (European Road Safety Charter)

OBJECTIVE

• To reduce the incidence of drink-driving.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INITIATIVE

• Dissemination of fixed electronic breathalyser equipment carrying the "C Ki Ki Conduit" (Who's driving?) slogan.
• To judge the impact of the breathalyser a pilot evaluation by the prefecture and E&P took place in Loire-Atlantique in three parts during 2007:
  • Disco owner survey in 18 discos (September and December 2007).
  • Consumer survey in 6 premises (August and September 2007).
  • Analysis of the official data for road traffic injuries and fatalities for the region.
• An online interactive map was launched in 2009 to help designated drivers find local establishments which already have a fixed breathalyser (available on the E&P website).
• The breathalyser terminals are part of E&P's ''breathalyser reflex'' programme, where the reflex of self-testing is the aim.

IMPACT

• 577 consumers of which 63% were male and 37% female and average 24 years old took part in the pilot evaluation.
• The pilot region (between 2006 and 2007) saw the number of traffic injuries and fatalities reduced by:
  • 8.7% in the number of accidents (1275). 
  • 9.3% in the number of deaths (88).
  • 9.3 % in the number of injured (1602).
• In 2009:
  • 500 fixed breathalyser devices were in place across the country.
  • The French Government announced its decision to make fixed breathalyser devices compulsory in premises open after 2am.

EVALUATION

• Results of the owner surveys:
  • 82% noticed a large consumer interest and 65% believe interest grew throughout the campaign.
  • 77% believed that the breathalyser dissuaded driving above the BAC limit.
  • 94% found the system easy to install.
  • 87% found the system easy to use although staff assistance was needed (decreasing after 6 months in place).
  • 88% felt more committed to the prevention of alcohol-related road traffic accidents.
  • 94% would recommend that their colleagues buy fixed electronic breathalysers.

• Results of the consumer surveys:
  • 89% believed that a breathalyser should be in every disco.
  • 86% believed this type of test should become a reflex when leaving the disco.
  • 86% assert that if result is positive, they do not drive.
  • 75% of drivers and 67% of non-drivers had noticed the equipment before answering the survey.
  • 66% believed it's location at the entrance was the best place.
  • 92% find the display of the result very clear.
  • 60% believed the fixed equipment was more reliable than other self-test devices (25% have no opinion).
  • 1/4 felt that the test should remain free of charge and 2/3 that it should be at less than 1 euro.
  • 90% believe that owners that ensure their clients return home safely adds value to the premises.