The study's aims were to estimate Designated Driver use among nighttime, weekend drivers in the United States. Roadside surveys were conducted in randomly selected locations across the contiguous 48 states between September and November 1996. Approximately 6,000 drivers were asked it they were designated drivers that evening and their travel origins. An alcohol breath test was also administered. Of drivers surveyed, 24.7% reported that they were designated drivers. Women were more likely to claim to be a designated driver than men Designated drivers were more likely to have a postive BAC than nondesignated drivers. However, when only those coming from bars were analyzed, designated and nondesignated drivers had similar BAC levels. The use of designated drivers is becoming more common. A substantial portion of those who describe themselves as designated drivers have not abstained from alcohol entirely before driving. However, there is some evidence that they limited their intake to remain below the legal limit or were chosen after-the-fact on the basis of having had less to drink. (Author/publisher).
Abstract