Preventing Impaired Driving Using Alcohol Policy

Abstract

Considerable progress has been made in the reduction of impaired driving crashes during the last two decades. Much of this progress is attributable to strengthening laws against impaired driving along with vigorous enforcement efforts aimed at deterring impaired driving. In addition, many useful strategies can also be applied that focus on the control of alcohol availability, use, and promotion. Alcohol policies include controls on the price of alcohol, the location, density, and opening hours of sales outlets, controls on the social availability of alcohol, and on the promotion and advertising of alcohol. Enforcement of these policies is an important aspect of their effectiveness. These strategies have been shown to be effective or promising in reducing impaired driving as well as other consequences related to alcohol use and misuse.

Keywords:

• Alcohol Policy
• Impaired Driving Prevention
• Alcohol Problem Prevention
• Alcohol Availability

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Preparation of this manuscript was supported, in part, by NIAAA Grants AA006282 and AA12136. The authors thank two anonymous reviewers for their useful comments and suggestions.