A successful high‐visibility enforcement intervention targeting underage drinking drivers

AIMS: To measure the effectiveness of a high visibility enforcement campaign to reduce rates of underage drinking and driving. DESIGN: Mixed model analysis compares rates of drinking and driving (1) between the baseline and intervention period and (2) between the baseline and follow-up period. The impact of the intervention was evaluated using roadside surveys and web surveys. SETTING: Two college-town communities in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Study participants consisted of 6,825 drivers stopped, interviewed and breathalyzed on weekend nights. Web survey data was collected from 2,061 students from large state universities in each community. INTERVENTION: Increased high visibility enforcement of drinking and driving laws, featuring the use of passive alcohol sensors by police, along with a coordinated publicity campaign. MEASURES: Roadside surveys measured breath alcohol concentrations (BrAC) of drivers. The web surveys measured self-reported drinking. FINDINGS: Mixed model analysis revealed a statistically significant reduction in drivers with BrACs ≥.08 g/dl during the intervention and follow-up periods, F(2, 5744) = 6.5, p CONCLUSIONS: A high visibility enforcement campaign targeting underage drinking and driving appeared to reduce illegal underage drinking and driving among US college students (breath alcohol concentration ≤.02 g/dl) as well as drunk driving (breath alcohol concentration ≤.08 g/dl) at any age. Language: en