Objectives (1) To measure alcohol intoxication of male patrons in restaurants and males with traffic-related injuries at an Emergency Department, (2) To estimate risk of traffic injury after acute alcohol consumption using case–crossover analysis, and (3) To compare perceptions toward drink-driving of injured and uninjured males.

Methods Male patrons at seven restaurants (n=464) and men admitted to hospital following traffic injuries (n=480) were interviewed and measured for blood alcohol concentration (BAC) by a breathalyzer.

Results Among the uninjured restaurant patrons, 76.6% had a BAC over the legal limit (0.08g/100ml) and 39.7% were above 0.15g/100ml. Among patients, 57.5% were over 0.08g/100ml and 45.6% above 0.15g/100ml. The odd-ratio of traffic injury for patients who drank alcohol within 6 h prior to injury was 8.5 (95% CI 5.34 to 13.51) and this followed a clear dose–response relationship. There was no significant difference between the two groups of men in perceptions toward drink-driving. Most respondents over-estimated the number of drinks they could consume in 1 h to drive safely and legally and most had never planned to avoid driving after drinking. Most men experienced peer approval for drink-driving while very few perceived risk of detection by the police.

Conclusion Programs to raise community awareness and effective legal enforcement are necessary and urgent in Vietnam.