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Research Update:
Implementing Impaired Driving Countermeasures - Putting Research Into
Action
Transportation Research Board. Implementing impaired driving
countermeasures: Putting research into action. Transportation Research
Circular 2005;Number E-C072. Available from:
www.trb.org/publications/circulars/ec072.pdf
There have been impressive reductions in alcohol-related traffic deaths
in the United States, Canada, and other parts of the world—however,
progress has stalled. A variety of effective strategies for traffic
safety and policy have been identified through research and evaluation,
and many have been widely adopted; likely contributing to the progress
that has been made. However, other potentially significant strategies
have not been widely implemented.
In August 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Injury Center co-sponsored a symposium, “Implementing Impaired Driving
Countermeasures: Putting Research Into Action,” organized by the
Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Transportation Committee of the Transportation
Research Board to begin dialogue about how to more fully implement
research-based strategies. Researchers, law enforcement, policy makers,
judicial representatives, advocacy organizations, media experts, and
others attended the meeting.
Symposium presenters described strategies that were effective in
experimental testing or in field implementation; the demonstrated level
of effectiveness; and the level of implementation across the country.
Participants discussed the barriers that make implementation difficult,
and offered ways to overcome such challenges. Topics included:
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Applying the
diffusion-of-innovations model when translating research into policy
and practice;
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Legislative
challenges in passing primary seat belt enforcement laws;
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Enforcement
challenges in implementing sobriety checkpoints, passive sensors,
and preliminary breath testers;
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Judicial and
administrative challenges in applying vehicle sanctions and ignition
interlock devices; and
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Alcohol policy
challenges in increasing alcohol taxes, implementing responsible
beverage service, and applying other approaches.
CDC's Injury Center has a limited supply of print copies of symposium
proceedings. To request a print copy, send an e-mail to:
EJC6@cdc.gov.
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