Designated drivers
Designated drivers are sober individuals chosen to transport others who have consumed alcohol, playing a crucial role in promoting public safety. The concept emerged from national campaigns in the United States aimed at reducing the dangers associated with impaired driving, particularly through initiatives led by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Ad Council. Campaigns like "Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk" and "Innocent Victims" seek to raise awareness about the risks of alcohol-related accidents and encourage responsible behavior among social groups.
Designated driver programs often receive support from various community organizations, law enforcement, and educational institutions. They emphasize the importance of arranging safe transportation options to prevent individuals from driving under the influence. Statistics indicate that these campaigns have significantly influenced driver behavior, with many reporting a commitment to preventing others from drinking and driving. Although challenges remain, the steady decline in alcohol-related fatalities underscores the effectiveness of these awareness initiatives and community engagement efforts. Overall, the designated driver concept serves as a vital strategy in promoting road safety and reducing the impact of impaired driving on society.
Designated drivers
DEFINITION: Designated drivers are sober drivers designated to transport people who have consumed alcohol. The concept was spearheaded as a public safety campaign at the national level in the United States (US).
History
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the US Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Ad Council were the lead agencies in bringing public attention to the dangers of impaired driving in the US. The Ad Council has worked with relevant US government agencies to use the media's power to enhance awareness and foster action against drinking and driving.
The Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk campaign, formed by the DOT and the Ad Council, effectively illuminated problems associated with drinking and driving. The public service announcement (PSA) campaign called Innocent Victims focused on the victims of alcohol-related automobile accidents. Moving beyond television, PSAs have been delivered through radio, print, and online.
Mission and Goals
Designated driver programs alert the public about designating a driver to remain sober on all outings involving alcohol consumption so that those who choose to consume alcohol at such outings will not later drive a vehicle while drunk or will not ride in a vehicle driven by an impaired driver. This safe ride concept involves variously funded alternative transportation, and it is essential to community-based, designated-driver programs.
Support for designated driver programs comes from civic organizations, foundations, community groups, local residents, and businesses. The scope of this support ranges from community-wide efforts to independent programs. Endorsement can come from law enforcement, public health, education, and service groups. The NHTSA’s Safe Communities program involves forming coalitions that promote traffic, road, highway, and personal safety issues. Students can get involved in advocating designated driver programs through school groups, such as Students Against Drunk Driving. Parents and caretakers can become involved through organizations, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
Effectiveness
The NHTSA noted that almost 80 percent of drivers reported being influenced by the DOT's Friends Don’t Let Friends Drive Drunk campaign. These drivers took steps to prevent others from driving under the influence of alcohol. In addition, 25 percent of drivers reported that the campaign helped them to refrain from drinking and driving. The importance of such campaigns is underscored by data provided in a NHTSA report that over 13,000 thousand people die in the US each year in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents. The fact that this number has steadily declined is proof of the effectiveness of raising awareness of impaired driving and the need for designated drivers. Furthermore, a three-component program by the NHTSA offers the public a program of enhanced law enforcement, offender prosecution and adjudication, and relevant medical and mental health services.
Bibliography
DeJong, William, and Jay A. Winsten. "The Use of Designated Drivers by US College Students: A National Study." Journal of American College Health, vol. 47, no. 4, 1999, pp. 151–56.
"Drunk Driving - Statistics and Resources." NHTSA, 2022, www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drunk-driving. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
"How to Stick to the Plan of Using a Designated Driver." Alcohol.org, 25 Oct. 2022, alcohol.org/dui/designated-driver. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
Kazbour, Richard R., and Jon S. Bailey. "An Analysis of a Contingency Program on Designated Drivers at a College Bar." Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, vol. 43, no. 2, 2010.
Lange, James E., et al. "The Efficacy of Experimental Interventions Designed to Reduce Drinking among Designated Drivers." Journal of Studies on Alcohol, vol. 67, no. 2, 2006, pp. 261–68.
"More than 13,000 People Died in Alcohol-Related Crashes for Second Straight Year." MADD, 5 Apr. 2024, madd.org/press-release/more-than-13000-people-died-in-alcohol-related-crashes-for-second-straight-year. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.