Fatal Alcohol Poisonings and Traffic Accidents in Russia

Abstract

Russia has one of the world's highest road traffic fatality rates. There is common believe that high level of alcohol consumption in conjunction with binge drinking pattern is a major determinant of high traffic accidents mortality rates in this country. Objective: The aim of the present study was to estimate the aggregate level effect of binge drinking on the traffic accidents mortality rates in Russia. Method: Age-standardized sex-specific male and female fatal alcohol poisonings (as a proxy for binge drinking) and traffic accidents mortality data for the period 1970-2013 were analyzed by means time series analysis. The results of the analysis indicate the presence of a statistically significant association between the two time series for males and for females. Conclusions: The outcomes of this study provide support for the hypothesis that binge drinking is an important contributor to the traffic accidents mortality rates in Russian Federation. The findings from the present study have important implications as regards traffic accidents mortality prevention indicating that a restrictive alcohol policy can be considered as an effective measure of prevention in countries where higher rate of alcohol consumption conjunct with binge drinking pattern.