Citation

Kunkel E. Blutalkohol 1979; 16(1): 1-18.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1979, International Committee on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety and Bund gegen Alkohol und Drogen im Straßenverkehr, Publisher Steintor Verlag)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A new countermeasure for changing the behaviour of DWI-first-offenders (Modell 'Mainz 77') is presented. The main characteristics of this program: target group, content, method and evaluation are discussed. In spite of suspension, revocation, withdrawal and punishment, the rate of recidivism of DWI-drivers remains high. New countermeasures are necessary. According to the so called Modell 'Mainz 77', such countermeasures should occur as early as possible. That would be after the first DWI incident. They should take into account the main difficulty of DWI drivers, which is their special attitude towards drinking and driving. This attitude, which could be called a 'jinx-attitude', finds its expression in their conviction: that they can drive properly after heavy drinking, that most other drivers sometimes also drive after heavy drinking, and that it was just bad luck that they themselves had an accident or got caught by the police (and circumstances or the behaviour of others are to blame for their misfortune). Thus on the 'Mainz 77' program, psychologists discuss this attitude with DWI-first offenders and concentrate specifically on changing these assumptions. As the next step the drivers learn how to recognize situations which are dangerous with regard to drinking and driving. They learn how to control their drinking behaviour and learn socially acceptable arguments for refusing drinks as well as drinking after driving. Roll-playing technique is used to facilitate this learning. It is very important that the courses are conducted by phychologists who are experienced in estimating the driving ability of DWI-drivers and thus are well acquainted with the psychological background of drunken driving. They should be experienced in leading group discussions and in behavior therapy. They should also be familiar with the different methods of evaluation, so that the can guarantee that they courses will meet all requirements of subsequent evaluation.