The Contribution of Education and Public Information to Reducing Alcohol-Impaired Driving.

Laws aimed at alcohol-impaired drivers often change behavior in ways that reduce the problem. Alcohol education and public information programs, though, rarely result in short-term behavior change. In part, this is because drinking, and combining drinking with driving, are lifestyle behaviors that are shaped and supported by many ongoing social forces, and are not readily amenable to change through brief, one-time education/public information campaigns. Moreover, those with the problem have characteristics that make them least susceptible to behavior change through educational programs. However, education and public information programs play an important role in combatting alcohol-impaired driving. They offer support and impetus for passing laws; disseminate facts about the provisions and penalties of laws in ways that increase their deterrent effect; and generate public support for law enforcement programs. Greater attention to educating and informing policy and decision makers, rather than at-risk individuals, is needed.