Knowledge and behaviors of drunk-driving offenders in Guangzhou, China

  • Keqin Jia Queensland University of Technology
  • Judy Fleiter Queensland University of Technology
  • Mark King Queensland University of Technology
  • Mary Sheehan Queensland University of Technology
  • Wenjun Ma Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health
  • Jianzhen Zhang University of Queensland
Keywords: drink driving, drunk driving, offender, China, AUDIT

Abstract

Jia, K., Fleiter, J., King, M., Sheehan, M., Ma, W., & Zhang, J. (2015). Knowledge and behaviors of drunk-driving offenders in Guangzhou, China. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 4(2), 151-158. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v4i2.203

Aims: To better understand the knowledge and behaviors of drunk-driving offenders relating to alcohol use and driving in the
context of recently amended Chinese legislation, and to investigate the involvement of alcohol-use disorders.


Design: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2012.


Setting and participants: Data were collected at a local jail and 101 participants were recruited while in detention.


Measures: Questionnaire items examined demographic characteristics as well as practices and knowledge relating to alcohol use
and driving. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to assess hazardous drinking levels.


Findings: Knowledge about the two legal limits for “drink driving” and for “drunk driving” was low, at 28.3% and 41.4%,
respectively. AUDIT scores indicated that a substantial proportion of the offenders had high levels of alcohol-use disorders.
Higher AUDIT scores were found among the least experienced drivers, those who lacked knowledge about the legal limits, and
recidivist drunk drivers.


Conclusions: Limited awareness of legal alcohol limits might contribute to offending; high AUDIT scores suggest that
hazardous drinking levels may also contribute. This study provides important information to assist in refining community
education and prevention efforts.

Author Biographies

Keqin Jia, Queensland University of Technology
The Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety—Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Judy Fleiter, Queensland University of Technology
The Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety—Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Mark King, Queensland University of Technology
The Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety—Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Mary Sheehan, Queensland University of Technology
The Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety—Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Wenjun Ma, Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health
Guangdong Provincial Institute of Public Health, Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Guangdong Province, China
Jianzhen Zhang, University of Queensland
School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Australia
Published
2015-12-18
How to Cite
Jia, K., Fleiter, J., King, M., Sheehan, M., Ma, W., & Zhang, J. (2015). Knowledge and behaviors of drunk-driving offenders in Guangzhou, China. International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 4(2), 151-158. https://doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v4i2.203
Section
Other Papers