This paper reports the preliminary results from the outcome component of an evaluation of a designated driver program called Skipper, which was trialled in a provincial city in Queensland. In order to assess changes over time in self-reported designated driver awareness and behaviour, as well as drinking and drink driving behaviour, surveys were conducted three weeks prior to (baseline) and four months following (follow-up) the commencement of the trial. The preliminary results indicate that awareness of the program in the intervention area was quite high four months following its introduction. The results also suggest that the Skipper program and the related publicity had positive impacts on behaviour with there being an increase in the proportion of people participating in designated driver as a passenger and a tendency for those who act as designated drivers to do so more often. In addition, there was no evidence of an increase in alcohol consumption among the passengers of designated drivers compared to what otherwise may have been the case. Suggestions for further research and program improvement are discussed as well as limitations of the research. (a) For the covering entry of this conference, please see ITRD abstract no. E217329.
Abstract