This project provides information about norms and attitudes related to alcohol use and driving. This volume reports the methodology, findings, discussions, and conclusions of individual interviews conducted with early adolescents (ages 13-14), middle-late adolescents (ages 17-18), and young adults (ages 18-25). The interviews were conducted to explore norms and attitudes of drivers who drive after drinking and those who do not. A detailed protocol was used to guide clinical social workers in these open-ended interviews and discussion focused on the following areas: general perceptions and beliefs about drinking; knowledge and beliefs about drinking and driving; behavior patterns and attitudes regarding drinking and drinking and driving; factors that may influence attitude formation; and behaviors regarding drinking and driving. The findings suggest that there are strong influences in our society that encourage drinking and driving. Further, there needs to be more information to help the drinker assess when he/she is impaired and to educate the driver who drinks concerning other drinking and driving issues (e.g. BAC laws). Finally, there are individuals, community organizations and social institutions in our society that, if supported, can have a countering effect on pro-drinking and driving influences. Information on the other aspects of the project can be found in other volumes of this report as follows: Volume I--Review of the Literature; Volume II--A Meta-analysis of Primary Prevention studies; Volume IV--Report of Focus Groups; and a booklet entitled, "Suggestions for Developing Prevention Programs to Reduce the Incidence of Alcohol Impaired Driving.".
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