NCJ Number
74829
Date Published
1979
Length
149 pages
Annotation
The impact of the Tampa Alcohol Safety Action Project (ASAP) countermeasure activities on drinking-driving behavior and alcohol-related (A/R) motor vehicle accidents in Hillsborough County (FL) was assessed.
Abstract
Evaluation focused on a number of proxy measures of A/R accidents because the availability of accident blood alcohol concentration (BAC) data changed significantly over time. These proxy measures were total, reported A/R, nighttime and weekend monthly frequencies for both fatal and injury accidents. Baseline data from the period of January 1970 to February 1972 were compared with ASAP data from th period of March 1972 to December 1976 for evidence of a change in drift or change in level in accident frequencies coincident with the onset of ASAP operations. These changes were compared with changes in relevant complementary data within Hillsborough County and with changes in available statewide data, excluding Hillsborough Count0. There was no evidence that ASAP had effected a reduction in any of the proxy measures. Data from ASAP-sponsored roadside surveys were used to assess the impact of ASAP on drinking-driing behavior. There was a significant decline in the proportions of drunk drivers participating in the surveys during the ASAP operational period averaging .685 percent per year between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. and 1,096 percent per year between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m. on those weekends during which the surveys were conducted. It was concluded after 5 years of ASAP countermeasure activity, there has been a significant decline in the proportions of drunk drivers on the road and that the decline has not had a noticeable effect on A/R accidents. Appendixes contain a sample ASAP report to the court form, jury trial and appellate procedures outline, sample ASAP court order forms, and treatment modality descriptions. A list of reference material, flow charts, data tables, and graphs are included. (AUthor abstract modified).