PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

From 1984 through 2000, Kansas saw a significant decline in alcohol-related crash fatalities (from a high of 224 in 1986 to a low of 74 in 1993). The all-time low in 1993 comprised 16.02 percent of all crash fatalities. Among drivers under 21, the number of alcohol-related crash fatalities has ranged from 26 (1990) to 12 (1995), the all-time low.

Alcohol-related crash fatalities among drivers under age 21 represent about 21 percent of all alcohol-related crash fatalities over the past nine years. In addition, 67 percent of high school students report that they drink alcohol at least yearly, 21 percent report that they drink alcohol at least weekly, and 65 percent report that they think their chances of getting caught by the police while drinking and driving are low to non-existent. In fact, 22 percent of high school students report that, in the past month, they have ridden with a drinking driver on at least one occasion.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goals of the Drunk Driving Prevention Project are to:

• Prevent driving tragedies throughout Kansas

• Provide a networking system of public information and education, training, and community traffic safety projects

• Serve as a resource center highlighting impaired driving issues and materials

• Provide technical assistance and evaluation services to the Bureau of Traffic Safety and the citizens of Kansas

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

• A primary focus of the program was to develop a system to STOP Underage Drinking through multiple campaign activities such as providing: server training for employees of retail liquor establishments; Cops in Shops; using victim panels in youth and adult education forums; and providing easy, enjoyable, yet meaningful traffic safety activities for Kansas high school students.

• Other activities included developing and distributing impaired driving literature and promotional materials for driver education students and their parents, elementary and junior high students, bars, clubs, law enforcement and the general public.

• The program also conducts training and undertakes other specific projects, including providing technical assistance related to community and professional education.

RESULTS

During the FY 1999 contract year, the STOP Underage Drinking campaign expanded to include potential partnerships in approximately 33 new communities. Decisions for expansion were based upon traffic incident data, population, and proximity to institutions of higher education. New efforts were initiated in Leavenworth, Riley County, Saline County, and Kansas City, Kansas.

The Kansas licensed Beverage Association endorsed the TAM (Teaching Alcohol Management) curriculum for its members during this program year. The Kansas Drunk Driving Prevention Project (KDDPP) program continued to support the initiation of a server education curriculum statewide – regardless of whether the community chose to use a standardized or customized curriculum.

Eighty-seven percent of participants attending victim impact panel presentations report that they gained insight from the panel experience. Forty-two percent of attendees indicate that they will never drink and drive, and 100 percent of attendees report that others could benefit from victim panel programs. Sponsors that are responsible for a victim panel perceive that the students are 100 percent attentive during the panel, and that 75 percent of those attendees took the presentation very seriously.

Students participated in multiple initiatives statewide to promote traffic safety, including the Safe and Sober message. One high school activity, a mock crash, and its sponsor received a national nomination and recognition for their efforts in Johnson County, Kansas.

   FALL 2001