How
to Implement a Community-Based Designated Driver Program
Program Planning
Operations
Partnerships
Program Marketing
Evaluation
Tips
for Specific Groups
Community
Organizations
Employers
Educators/College
Groups
Criminal Justice
Medical
and Health Care Community
Hospitality
Industry and Retailers
Armed Forces
Publicity
and Promotion
Working with
the Media
Calendar of
Year Round Ideas
Media Q&A
Resources
Partners and
Resources
Publications
WHO
SHOULD BE, AND WHO SHOULD USE, A DESIGNATED DRIVER?
A Designated Driver is a drinking-age adult who agrees not to drink any alcoholic beverages, and to safely transport anyone else home. If it's a large group, more than one Designated Driver may be needed. Designated Drivers should not drink any alcoholic beverages; therefore, they are never the person least drunk. A Designated Driver can be used anywhere people ride together after drinking alcohol, including private homes, bars, sporting events, restaurants or office parties. Designated Drivers are also important when someone is taking medication that makes them drowsy or otherwise impaired and not fit to drive.
WHO SHOULD USE A SAFE RIDE?
Safe Ride programs are intended for those who drink or plan to drink alcohol or take prescription and non-prescription drugs that may affect driving. Find out about Safe Ride programs in your community, and how they operate. If one does not exist in your community, ask local businesses and community service groups to start one, to ensure that everyone has a safe and sober way home.
CONCLUSION
Impaired driving is a serious problem that affects every American. By starting or expanding a Designated Driver program, your community will help fight impaired driving. Designated Driver and Safe Ride programs, highly visible law enforcement mobilizations and training programs, help change attitudes about impaired driving. These measures also help to create greater public awareness of the problem and provide alternatives to impaired driving.
UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM
FACT: Impaired
driving is a chronic problem that will affect one in three Americans during
their lifetime. Nearly
42,000 people die in motor vehicle crashes each year. Approximately 16,000
of these deaths are alcohol-related.
FACT: The loss
of lives due to impaired driving is completely preventable. There are alternatives
to impaired driving:
- Designate a sober
driver
- Take a taxi or
call a safe ride program
- Make arrangements to spend the night where you are
