How to design and implement a drinking and driving programme pdf ...

A dedicated alcohol intervention unit
Many countries that have been successful in reducing drinking and driving have
dedicated alcohol intervention units within the traffic police. This specific police
unit is responsible for the coordination of policing efforts and counter-measures
relating to drinking and driving. A dedicated unit provides the benefits of
centralised coordination and ability for expertise to be established. It should be
responsible for:
• integration with other road safety strategies for road trauma reduction;
• facilitating education campaigns and publicity;
• facilitating training for general police personnel;
• gathering statistical data and intelligence to improve enforcement and
detection methods;
• working with industry and large organizations in the provision of education,
seminars and workshops on the effects of drinking and driving. The dedicated
unit can provide comprehensive advice and education to assist in reducing
drinking and driving within industry;
Drinking and Driving: a road safety manual
3 | How to design and implement a drinking and driving programme
• developing partnerships with government, semi-government agencies and
large representative groups such as those within the transport industry and
professional drivers. Drinking and driving is a community problem needing community-based
solutions. Police cannot and should not be expected to achieve
the results without a cooperative and consultative approach.
• maintaining direct links to research organizations. This will enable police to
seek independent evaluation and research before, during and after implementing
any programmes.
Enforcement methods
Enforcement methods that have been used successfully to change driver behaviour
include alcohol screening of drivers (random and based on “probable cause”), and targeted
enforcement based on intelligence. These enforcement methods are not mutually
exclusive and should ideally be employed in combination to achieve maximum effect.
Alcohol screening of drivers
The alcohol screening 1 of drivers provides a prevention-based strategy in the form
of extremely visible, high-volume screening. This method reminds drivers of the
1 In some countries, eg the United States, this method is referred to as an “alcohol test”, not “alcohol screening”.
83