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 Introduction
Impaired driving is a serious problem in the United States, killing thousands every year. Significant reductions in alcohol-related traffic deaths occurred in the 1980s to mid 1990s. Although subsequent progress has been slow, each year more than 16,000 lives are lost in alcohol-related crashes. In an effort to improve progress, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been focusing on top priority initiatives to help reduce driving while impaired. Specifically, NHTSA is encouraging implementation of high-visibility enforcement, support for prosecutors and driving while under the influence (DWI) courts, screening and brief intervention, and primary seat belt use laws. This toolkit focuses on screening and brief intervention as a strategy that can aid in addressing impaired driving.
Impaired driving is often a symptom of a larger problem: alcohol misuse. There is compelling evidence, detailed in scientific and medical literature, that screening and brief intervention is effective in reducing drinking and subsequent impaired driving behaviors among problem drinkers.
NHTSA entered a cooperative agreement with The BACCHUS Network to develop a toolkit specifically for colleges and universities. The BACCHUS Network designed the toolkit to assist college and universities to implement programs for conducting screening and brief intervention.
The BACCHUS Network, a nonprofit charitable organization, is a university- and community-based network focusing on comprehensive health and safety initiatives. It is the mission of the organization to actively promote student and young-adult-based campus and community-wide leadership on healthy and safe lifestyle decisions concerning alcohol abuse, tobacco use, illegal drug use, unhealthy sexual practices, and other high-risk behaviors. For more information on The BACCHUS Network, please see Appendix H.
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