Drinking and Driving Behaviour, Knowledge, Attitudes and Perceived Risks Among University Students

• NCJ Number: 221592
• Journal: Acta Criminologica Volume: 17 Issue: 3 Pages: 14-27
• Author(s): N. Nuntsu
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: South Africa
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Annotation

A baseline survey was conducted to assess the driving background, the incidence of drinking and driving (DD) and riding with someone who has been drinking and driving (RDD), DD knowledge, DD attitudes, DD behavioral intentions, and DD peer intervention techniques among university students in South Africa prior to the implementation of a DD prevention program.

Abstract

Highlights of the survey results include: (1) more than three-quarters of the sample (89.2 percent) had no driver’s license, but drove anyway; (2) among those who admitted to drinking and driving (DD), males constituted a higher percentage than females; (3) most respondents who had indulged in risk behavior had also engaged in DD; (4) an overwhelming majority of the respondents (74.3 percent) had experienced passengers in cars driven by drivers under the influence of alcohol; (5) respondents in general had a low level of DD knowledge, with the majority reporting to be unsure of the definition of DD and the safe limit of alcohol consumption; (6) respondents had negative attitudes towards DD as more than 50 percent were of the view that it is not okay to DD, riding with someone who has been DD (RDD) is not okay, and DD is a problem; and (7) more than 50 percent of the respondents had no intention to engage in DD. The results of this survey have implications for program planners, program developers, and policymakers, and highlight imperative issues that need to be taken into consideration when designing DD prevention programs. Utilizing a sample 110 University of the North male and female students, a baseline survey was conducted in order to base prevention efforts on empirical evidence. Tables, bibliography