This paper reports a study to assess the impact of four Brewers'Society films on students' knowledge, attitudes, and intended behaviour with respect to drinking and driving. This study was intended to assist teachers and health and safety promoters, who were considering or encouraging the use of the films to teach traffic safety in schools. The films were designed for use with 15-19 year olds, and deal with different aspects of the drinking and driving problem. The aspects covered include: (1) different influences on young people's decisions about drinking and driving; and (2) the effects of alcohol on human performance and driving ability. Details of the breath testand charge procedure, and the possible consequences of an offence are also covered. The responsibilities of those not actually driving is also presented. An unmatched control group design with pre-tests and post-tests was used in classroom conditions. Six secondary schools were assigned to the experimental conditions and two to the control conditions. Students aged 15-19 were tested. The films were shown, discussions were held, and each student was asked questions about his/her knowledge and feelings about drinking and driving. Three measures were used to assess the films' effects. It was found that the films were very successful at conveying important messages about reducing drinking and driving, but that their effects did not last for many months
Abstract