In recent years considerable resources have been devoted in britain to the development of educational and publicity programmes dealing with alcohol education and the problem of drinking and driving. This paper reviews these programmes and studies their impact and effectiveness. The educational programmes have been mainly directed at 14 to 18-year-olds. Most aim to influence young people by presenting and discussing the facts about alcohol, including its effects on the body and on driving, and relevant laws. Materials produced include fact sheets, discussion-based materials and a range of audiovisual aids. A survey of secondary schools in 1984 indicated that most schools taught some aspects but that the amount of time spent was small. Publicity campaigns have been mounted by the department of transport annually since 1976. Generally, these have focused on dissuading young drivers from drinking and driving using a variety of themes and media. Each year the campaigns have been evaluated in terms of self-reported drinking and driving behaviour, knowledge and attitudes, and awareness of the publicity. The data indicate that there have been some improvements on all these aspects. Themes that appear to have been more successful with the young driver include the threat of detection linked to disqualification from driving and the fear of injury to a close friend or relative. (A)
Abstract