Sober and Safe

Project Characteristics Program Areas Innovative approach, self-sufficient, data driven, community emphasis Alcohol and Other Drugs Targeted Audience Jurisdiction Adults County

Goals

• Reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities between Thanksgiving Day and New Years Day
• Reduce the number of DWI arrests on New Years Eve
• Remove drinking drivers from vehicles at the start of the evening rather than at the end of the evening

Strategies

A community committee was formed to address the problem of increasing alcohol-related fatalities around the winter holidays. Committee members worked together to develop a program to address the problem and implement fun activities. The locally developed logo and the locally differentiated program name provided the necessary themes. These were placed on billboards, in media spots, on drink mugs, etc. The Tavern Association members provided free non-alcoholic drinks to designated drivers who carried these mugs. Cocktail napkins containing “the cost of DWI” were used prominently in taverns, which generated a lot of discussion among patrons. On New Year’s Eve, a free shuttle service took partygoers and family babysitters from residences to destinations and back home again. The service was managed with donated cell phones, and available within a range of ten miles from 6pm-3am.

Results

• There have been no fatal crashes in the county during the seven years of the project period.
• For six of the seven years, the number DWI arrests have declined.