A successful high-visibility enforcement intervention targeting underage drinking drivers

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Traffic Safety
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Underage drinking and driving remains a significant public health concern.
• Effective interventions are crucial to reduce alcohol-impaired driving incidents, especially among young adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a high-visibility enforcement campaign in reducing underage drinking and driving.
• To assess the impact of the campaign on both underage and general drunk driving rates.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-model analysis was employed to compare drinking and driving rates before, during, and after the intervention.
• Roadside surveys measured drivers' breath alcohol concentrations (BrAC), while web surveys collected self-reported drinking data from college students.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant reduction in drivers with BrAC ≥ 0.08 g/dl was observed during the intervention and follow-up periods.
• College students under 21 also reported significantly less driving after drinking during the intervention and follow-up periods.

Conclusions:

• High-visibility enforcement campaigns, incorporating passive alcohol sensors and publicity, can effectively reduce drunk driving across all ages.
• The campaign demonstrated success in decreasing both underage driving after drinking and overall drunk driving incidents among US college students.