Using Smart Card Technology to Prevent Sales of Alcohol to Underage Persons

NHTSA - Behavioral Safety Researchhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15255312001PDFResearch PaperBierness, Douglas J.Schmidt, Steven L.Pak, AnitaTraffic Injury Research Foundation of CanadaUnited States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Office of Research and Traffic RecordsUnited States. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationUnited StatesAlcoholic beveragesLegal drinking ageDrunk drivingTechnology assessmentDemonstration projectsImpact studiesDOT-HS-809-321DTNH22-97-H05072Ross, EllenFinal reportThis report documents the results of a demonstration and evaluation project to examine the effectiveness of smart card technology (i.e., magnetic stripe on the driver's license and a card reader system) as a means of providing alcohol retailers with a simple, efficient and reliable system for verifying the age of youthful looking customers, as well as the authenticity of their identification. The overall objective is to reduce the alcohol-related crashes involving youth by reducing sales of alcoholic beverages to those under 21. The evaluation found that even though some of the alcohol retailers in the demonstration attested to the usefulness of the smart card technology in preventing underage drinking and driving, conclusive evidence of a positive impact of the implementation of the card reader system units was not a result of the demonstration. The researchers suggest a more comprehensive program that includes universal implementation in a well-defined and geographically limited community, an awareness and education program for alcohol retailers, an awareness program for youth, and enhanced enforcement activities targeted at both youth and alcohol retailers. /Abstract from report summary page/129