How
to Implement a Community-Based Designated Driver Program
Program Planning
Operations
Partnerships
Program Marketing
Evaluation
Tips
for Specific Groups
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Organizations
Employers
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Groups
Criminal Justice
Medical
and Health Care Community
Hospitality
Industry and Retailers
Armed Forces
Publicity
and Promotion
Working with
the Media
Calendar of
Year Round Ideas
Media Q&A
Resources
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Publications
WHAT IS A DESIGNATED DRIVER PROGRAM?
Designated Driver programs are a key component of a community-based comprehensive impaired driving prevention effort. Combined with highly visible law enforcement, a Designated Driver program gives people the information they need to make informed choices and seek
alternatives to driving
while impaired. Safe Ride programs provide transportation for persons who
plan to drink.
Designated Driver programs typically promote the concept of designating a
sober driver, but variations may exist depending on the needs of the community.
An important part of a community-based Designated Driver program is the concept
of "Safe Ride." These alternative methods of transportation provide people
who have consumed alcohol with safe rides home. Some are privately funded
while others are run through public-private partnerships.
WHY
ARE DESIGNATED DRIVER PROGRAMS SO CRITICAL?
Designated Drivers are
effective because many of the risks related
to impaired driving are removed. Nine out of 10
Americans who participate
in social events where alcohol is available believe that people should use
Designated Drivers. Designated driving programs are simple, requiring as few
as two people to operate. The only requirement is that people plan ahead and
either select one person to refrain from drinking alcohol or arrange for a
safe ride home. Designating a sober driver in situations when alcohol is present
is something that should always be practiced.
Designated Driver programs help convey impaired driving prevention messages
to the community, and illustrate the number of ways communities can encourage
safe and sober driving practices.
Designating a driver is the most responsible thing an individual can do: and
remember, the Designated Driver is not the person who's the most sober.
There are other benefits as well. Designated Driver programs can have a positive
effect on people who do not regularly use a Designated Driver or know how
to locate a safe ride. People who become aware of the program may be motivated
to try to avoid driving after drinking.
THE
AD COUNCIL
For 58 years, the Ad Council has created the timely and compelling public service messages Americans needed to hear. Its mission is to use the power of advertising to raise awareness of, and stimulate action against, problems confronting Americans. One such problem is drinking and driving.
By creating the Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk campaign, the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Ad Council launched an effort that would change the way Americans think about drinking and driving. Eighty-four percent of Americans recall having seen or heard a Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk public service announcement. Nearly 80 percent report they took action to prevent a friend or loved one from driving drunk, and 25 percent report they stopped drinking and driving as a result of the campaign.
The Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk campaign has taken many forms. Most recently, the "Innocent Victims" phase of PSAs features victims of drunk driving crashes. The message is clear: drunk driving is a deadly act that ends thousands of lives each year.
The Ad Council has produced PSAs for TV, radio, print, out of home and online media outlets. These PSAs encourage individuals to intervene and do whatever it takes to prevent someone from drinking and driving. The Ad Council PSAs are available for distribution to your local media outlets' public service directors to support your efforts to prevent drunk driving. By doing so, you can increase exposure of the impaired driving issue.
The Friends Campaign is produced in partnership with RADD and NAB.
For more information, please visit www.adcouncil.org
