Traffic Tech #87: The Public Rejects Drinking and Driving

Number 87                                                             February 1995

THE PUBLIC REJECTS DRINKING AND DRIVING

In 1968, the Secretary of Transportation reported to Congress that alcohol was a major cause of traffic fatalities. In 1979, the Congressional General Accounting Office concluded that "society's general acceptance of drinking and driving is the main obstacle to a successful anti-drinking-driver campaign." The 1980's saw much action by citizen groups, law enforcement agencies, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), state highway safety officials and many others. A significant drop in deaths attributed to drinking and driving occurred. Although exact reasons for the decline are not clear, it has been suggested that important changes took place in attitudes and behavior in the general public.

In 1993, NHTSA sponsored a survey of more than 4,000 Americans aged 16 or older, to assess their attitudes, perceptions, and behavior relating to drinking and driving. A Research Note has analyzed the results with respect to the public acceptance of drinking and driving and what should be done about the problem.

Most Americans report that they do not drive after drinking.

Most (92 percent) of the people surveyed drove motor vehicles in the past 12 months, and 61 percent were drivers who drank alcohol sometime during that year. However, about three out of four respondents said that they never drove within two hours after drinking last year, and only 15 percent reported driving after drinking last month. Only about one American in twenty reported driving after drinking three or more times last month. Further, 6 percent of the population accounted for 80 percent of all reported drinking driving trips last month.

Most Americans believe that driving after drinking is a serious problem and should not be allowed.

Nearly nine out of ten (87.5 percent) respondents stated it is "very important" that something be done to reduce drinking and driving. Another 11 percent said it is "somewhat important." Many (81.8 percent) said that drinking and driving by other people is a "major threat" to them or their families. About three out of four (74.1 percent) agreed that people should not be allowed to drive if they have been drinking any alcohol at all.

Most Americans believe drinking-driving enforcement should be increased and penalties should be more severe.

Nearly nine out of ten (86.4 percent) would like to see more enforcement of drinking and driving laws in their communities. More than two-thirds (71.2 percent) called for more severe penalties for drinking-drivers. About 84 percent favored the use of sobriety checkpoints and 63.2 percent said they should be used more frequently.

Data Availability

For a copy of the Research Note, The Public Rejects Drinking and Driving, contact Jack Oates, Office of Program Development and Evaluation, NHTSA, NTS-32, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20590, or send a fax to (202) 366-7096. NHTSA plans to publish additional analyses from the survey on topics of special interest. A data disk containing all items and responses to the complete survey is available through NTIS (Order No. PB 95501755), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161, (703) 487-4650 or fax (703) 321-8547.

U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway
Traffic Safety
Administration
400 Seventh Street, S.W. NTS-33
Washington, DC 20590

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Evaluation Staff Traffic Safety Programs
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