Increasing Designated Drivers 2 Increasing Designated Drivers: Distinguishing Notification from Positive Reinforcement

Considerable evidence exists showing the seriousness of the problem of driving while intoxicated (DWI) (Knight, Glascoff, & Rikard, 1993b), also called driving under the influence (DUI). Although trends in DUI seem to be occurring less frequently (Meier, Brigham, & Gilbert, 1998), national reports show that 41 % of all traffic fatalities in 1994 were alcohol related (CDC, 1995). College students have consistently shown to be at a high risk for drinking and driving (Sarvela, Taylor, Drolet, & Newcomb, 1988), with most studies reporting that alcohol is the drug of choice on college campuses and that approximately 90 % of college students drink at least occasionally (Wechsler & McFadden, 1979; Meilman, Stone, Gaylor, & Turco, 1990). The highest intoxication rates for drivers in fatal car crashes was for 25- to 34-year olds (30.7%), followed closely by 21- to 24-year olds (30.5%), and, finally, 16- to 20-year olds (17.5%) (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], 1994a). This serves to underscore the importance of reducing the incidence of driving after drinking, especially among the college age population. Much attention by government authorities has been enacted to reduce the incidence of DUI in the United States. Most of this intervention, however, has been in the form o