The community-based systems approach to DWI (driving while intoxicated) prevention is reviewed, mainly with reference to experience in the USA. It draws on a wide range of research, identifies aspects that need further study, emphasises the advantages of the comprehensive systems approach, and notes several difficulties arising during state and community efforts. It takes a holistic, multidisciplinary approach in accounting for many causal factors involved in drink-driving. Basic theory is needed, to understand, study, and reduce the many problems related to drink-driving. DWI prevention methods should be adapted to the different groups of people involved in drink-driving: (1) suicidal drivers; (2) sociopaths; (3) habitual offenders and chronic problem drinkers; (4) inexperienced drinkers; and (5) adult social drinkers who sometimes drink too much. This approach to locally-based drink-driving prevention is based on the sociocultural model and other developments in multidisciplinary research, evaluation, and professional experience. The responsible decisions approach is very appropriate for classroom education. Despite excellent work by the traffic safety community, the prospects for progress in traffic safety in the USA are not good for various reasons.
Abstract