Avoiding DWI among Bar-room Drinkers: Strategies and Predictors

Abstract

We examined the prevalence and predictors of 11strategies to avoid driving when feeling intoxicated among 561 bar-room patrons in two medium-sized Maryland communities. Logistic regression analyses identified demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal predictors of avoidance strategies and interactions among predictors. Overall, 89% reported one or more DWI avoidance actions in the past year, and 38% reported driving intoxicated during that time. Average frequencies of avoidance behavior and intoxicated driving increased significantly as drinking level increased. However, the higher the drinking level, the smaller the ratio of avoidance actions to DWI experiences, highlighting the vulnerability of heavy drinkers who had driven intoxicated.Using a sober driver or one who allegedly drank less than the respondent were the most popular and frequent strategies, but paying for a cab, walking, and using a bus or free cab were relatively unpopular. Higher drinking levels predicted significantly higher odds of using avoidance approaches, as did intoxicated driving. Confidence in driving safely when intoxicated was positively related to drinking level and intoxicated driving, but it tended to predict lower odds of avoidance actions. Similarly, marital status, age, gender, and location influenced the odds of avoidance behaviors. Interventions should be strategically tailored to exploit or counter drinker predilections among avoidance options.

Increasing public confidence in Romanian probation system by developing the optimal social reintegration programmes for drink-driving offenders

“…Despite these results, it is worrying that a fairly high percentage (35.6%) admits that it happened at least once to drive after consuming alcohol. The outcomes obtained, regarding the confidence in driving safely when intoxicated, are similar to those of other recent studies (Alonso et al, 2015; Caudill et al, 2010: 46). However, according to the same studies one disturbing finding is that the level of confidence in driving safely when intoxicated was positively and significantly related to drinking level and driving intoxicated, consistent with another California bar-room study conducted much earlier, in 1990.…”

Method of transportation and drinking among club patrons

“…Some argue that the relationship between designated drivers and passenger consumption is unclear, in that heavier drinkers are more likely to avoid legal consequences of driving under the influence by strategies other than a designated driver such as: taking a cab, walking, or simply relying on a friend who has had less to drink (Caudill, Rogers, Howard, Frissell, & Harding, 2010). However, one laboratory study (Rivara et al, 2007) found that the use of a designated driver resulted in almost half of the participants (ages 21–34) drinking more on that occasion than they usually drink.…”

The effectiveness of alternative transportation programs in reducing impaired driving: A literature review and synthesis

“…In these studies, by far the largest percentage of AT users were White males ages 18–35 ( Caudill et al, 2010 , Elamet al, 2006 ). There are several possible reasons why non-White patrons appear to underutilize these programs.…”

“…The research literature focuses on a variety of AT programs: safe ride shuttles; free or subsidized taxi, ridesharing, and public transportation; and voluntary or paid designated driver programs ( Molofet al, 1995 , Boots and Midford, 1999 , Caudill et al, 2000 , Hardinget al, 2001 , Sarkaret al, 2005 , Elamet al, 2006 , Rothschildet al, 2006 , Decinaet al, 2009 , Meece, 2009 , Nielson and Watson, 2009 , Caudill et al, 2010 , Gieck and Slagle, 2010 , Sprattler, 2010 , Chan, 2011 , Rivaraet al, 2012 , Weber, 2014 , Tiegs, 2015 , New Jersey Opinion, 2016 , National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Math (NASEM), 2018 , Jarchow, 2018 , Tavern League of Wisconsin SafeRide Program, 2019 .). These programs vary by the types of services provided and marketing and incentive strategies.…”

“…The evaluation studies we reviewed often noted that heavy drinkers, a group also at greater risk for driving after drinking, were the most likely to use an AT program ( Boots and Midford, 1999 , Caudill et al, 2000 , Caudill et al, 2001 , Caudill et al, 2010 , Dornieret al, 2010 , Elamet al, 2006 , Gieck and Slagle, 2010 , Hardinget al, 2001 , Logan, 2014 , McNamee, n.d. , Mundorf, 2006 , Sarkaret al, 2005 , Vickery, 2014 ). In fact, study participants typically state that when they do use a designated driver or an AT program, their primary motivation is to avoid being stopped by police for DUI ( Caudill et al, 2001 , Caudill et al, 2010 , Chan, 2011 , Gieck and Slagle, 2010 , Griswold, 2014 , Huseth, 2012 , Rayleet al, 2016 , Sarkaret al, 2005 ).…”