A SURVEY OF TOP EXECUTIVES OF THE LEADING US AND CANADIAN BREWING COMPANIES REVEALED A VIEW OF THE DRINKING-DRIVING PROBLEM THAT ACKNOWLEDGED THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE BREWER'S PRODUCT, BUT ATTRIBUTED BLAME EXCLUSIVELY TO THE INDIVIDUAL. THE AUTHOR EXAMINES THIS VIEWPOINT FROM THE POSITION OF A SOCIOLOGIST. THE EXTENT TO WHICH BREWERS ARE PREPARED TO COOPERATE WITH COUNTERMEASURES TO DRINK DRIVING IS DESCRIBED, THEIR MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION BEING TRAINING TO HELP SERVERS IDENTIFY INTOXICATED PATRONS. THE AUTHOR FINDS THE DRINK DRIVING PROBLEM NOT SO MUCH AN INDIVIDUAL FAULT BUT A PREDICTABLE OUTCOME OF THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT REAL PROGRESS IN REDUCING DRINK DRIVING REQUIRES A REFORM OF THE SYSTEM THROUGH WHICH THE ALCOHOLIC PRODUCT PASSES. A PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS SUB-GROUP OF THE POPULATION IS FOUND TO BE YOUNG MEN AND THE AUTHOR IS SURPRISED THAT THERE IS NOT MORE SUPPORT FROM THE BREWERS FOR CURFEWS AND RESTRICTED LICENSES FOR YOUTH. THE BREWERS ARE, NOT SURPRISINGLY, LESS THAN KEEN ON ANY RESTRICTIONS ON MANUFACTURING AND MARKETING THEIR PRODUCTS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE BREWERS AND THE ANTI-DRINK DRIVING MOVEMENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTROL OF ADVERTISING IS STRESSED.
Samenvatting