Citation

Yaksich S. Abstr. Alcohol Driving 1980; (9): 13-16.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, UCLA Alcohol Research Center and UCLA Brain Information Service)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In 1964, the Safety Research and Education Project was initiated at Teachers College, Columbia University under the sponsorship of the American Automobile Association (AAA) Foundation for Traffic Safety. For two years, DWI (driving while intoxicated) Counterattack pilot programs were developed and conducted; two approaches were studied: a definition of the party host role (resulting in a nationwide educational campaign), and a rehabilitation/reeducation program for convicted drunk drivers. In 1966, a full-scale DWI Counterattack Program was launched in Phoenix, Arizona, to reeducate and rehabilitate DWI offenders as an alternative to punishment alone. Based on three-year driving records, the group taking the course had 30% fewer subsequent DWI citations/convictions than nonparticipants. A documentary film was produced presenting a model program in action, and special curriculum materials were developed for court-referral DWI Phoenix-type programs. During the past few years, research has focused on prevention vs. rehabilitation, particularly among young people. A high school DWI mini-course, and elementary and junior high school programs on alcohol and traffic safety have been developed, as well as a senior citizen alcohol mini-program. The AAA Foundation has sponsored two National Conferences on DWI Rehabilitation and Reeducation (1976 and 1979) and has established a DWI Institute at Teachers College, Columbia University.