Alcohol Availability and Road Crashes in Perth: How Does Distance Affect the Relationship?

This study aims to examine the effects of road network distance from alcohol outlets to alcohol- and non-alcohol-involved road crashes across the Perth metropolitan area. A retrospective population-based study (2005-2015) was undertaken using measures of alcohol- and non-alcohol-involved crashes, and their proximity to alcohol outlets. Using a geographic information system and logistic regression, this study found that, as distances to the closest on-premise alcohol outlets increase, crashes were more likely to be alcohol-involved than non-alcohol-involved. Recommendations about the timing and location of police enforcement and blood alcohol concentration testing are made.