Many Canadian communities have set the prevention of impaired driving as a top priority. An incentive programme was developed in 1990, to reward drivers for not drinking by giving sober drivers a plastic license holder, imprinted with "Thanks for being a Sober Driver". This was complemented by announcements broadcast on television and radio. Such programmes can become more effective by following an adapted version of the `Health Belief Model', a theoretical framework which suggests that, if an intervention meets six conditions, it will be more likely to effect the desired changes in behaviour. In the campaign described here, the "No Sweat" brochure, which reflects the concern of drivers stopped by local police, is given to drivers who have been stopped in a spot check and have not been drinking alcohol. The brochure's information incorporates several elements from the Health Belief Model, advises drivers not to drink and drive, and presents positive messages. The campaign aimed to educate drivers, and determine their receptiveness to a positive incentive programme. Tables are presented that summarise the results of its questionnaires, and generally showed positive responses to the programme.
Samenvatting