Why Do Drinking and Driving Prevention Programmes Fail?

• NCJ Number: 209701
• Journal: Acta Criminologica Volume: 18 Issue: 1 Dated: 2005 Pages: 68-84
• Author(s): N. Phaswana-Mafuya
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 17 pages
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Literature Review
• Language: English
• Country: South Africa
• Note: To access the full text PDF: 1) select the provided HTML link; 2) from the Acta Criminologica Web site, select “Table of Contents”; 3) select the corresponding Volume and Issue (see the NCJRS abstract record for the exact Volume and Issue); 4) scroll the Table of Contents to the exact article; 5) click on the “full text” icon.

Annotation

This article presents a literature review focusing on the problem of road accidents involving alcohol and the failure of drinking and driving programs to curb this behavior.

Abstract

Road accidents are on the rise worldwide, killing approximately 1 million people each year and injuring another 50 million people. While road accidents are typically the result of a multiplicity of factors, one readily identified factor is alcohol consumption. To deal with this reality, drinking and driving programs aimed at young people have been developed around the world, yet few have been found to be effective. The current literature review first focuses on statistical information regarding road accidents and their causes. The remainder of the article analyzes why the drinking and driving programs currently available have uniformly failed. Several factors are underscored as contributing to the failure of drinking and driving programs, including the fact that most of these programs do not consider the normative and cultural factors surrounding drinking and driving behavior. Other factors are identified as the failure to reach high-risk youth, the introduction of youth programming too late to intervene in the repertoire of drinking and driving, the failure to present comprehensive programming, and the failure of programs to estimate real-life situations. Suggestions for current and future programming are offered and underscore the importance of involving youth in the development and implementation of youth programming and the importance of evaluations. This review has thus provided the information necessary to develop a sustainable drinking and driving program that has the ability to shape and change youth drinking and driving behavior. Bibliography