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While several ESCAP member countries have made progress in reducing drink-driving, much more work needs to be accomplished to make a significant impact. Drink-driving laws and serious enforcement have been effective in most countries and have had an immediate effect. A general deterrent effect, namely all drivers want to avoid drink-driving, gives the “biggest bang for the buck” in countermeasures and is cost effective. That involves laws, enforcement, reasonable sanctions, publicity and institutional development. Specific deterrence (only drivers arrested for drink-driving and sanctioned have the desire to not repeat the behaviour) works to some extent, but it is not as effective, as a general deterrent strategy.

It will most likely take a combination of strategies for drink-driving to be reduced in ESCAP member countries. For this to happen, key country officials must give some priority to deterring drink-driving. Data collection and analysis is key for applying any strategy. Attaining data on the blood alcohol concentrations of drivers involved in fatal crashes and of drivers seriously injured on the roads would be extremely informative. Data on arrests and convictions for drink-driving would also provide important information. Most ESCAP countries lack consistent and quality data that can be used to assess progress in reducing drink-driving.
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