Nebraska/Linking Traffic Safety and Health

Linking Traffic Safety and Health

NEBRASKA

PROJECT CHARACTERISTICS		PROGRAM AREA(S)
	Innovative or nontraditional approach		Alcohol and Other Drugs
			Injury Prevention

TYPE OF JURISDICTION
	County

TARGETED POPULATION(S)		JURISDICTION SIZE
	Motorists		230,000
	Alcohol Servers

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Motor vehicle crashes continue to needlessly claim many lives in Lancaster County, Nebraska. From 1991 to 1993, 43 people were killed and 12,165 were injured in traffic- related crashes in Lancaster County. Many of these fatal and serious injury crashes were the result of impaired driving.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In 1995, Lancaster County officials together with the Lincoln Council on Alcoholism and Drugs developed the Linking Traffic Safety and Health program. This program sought to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries resulting from alcohol use and abuse in the city of Lincoln and Lancaster County by 3 percent (33 crashes) over the previous three year average of 1,102 (1992-1994). Specific program objectives included:

Development, distribution and collection of "Last Drink Data" on each person arrested for driving while impaired (DWI) in Lancaster County in 1995
Monitoring off-premise alcohol sales to minors through voluntary compliance checks
Completion of a comprehensive survey designed to bring into clear and detailed focus the DWI problem in Lancaster County
Coordinate delivery of a comprehensive responsible beverage service training program and the activities of the Responsible Hospitality Council

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The Linking Traffic Safety and Health program focused on four key areas designed to reduce alcohol-related crash fatalities and injuries:

Last Drink Data: A survey instrument was developed to collect relevant information on where and when DWI offenders consumed their final drink before arrest. Quarterly reports were prepared and distributed to businesses identified in the collected data
Off-Premise Sales to Minors: A voluntary check program was designed and developed in 10 high volume off-sale establishments. A report to participating businesses on program results was prepared and distributed as each compliance check was completed
DWI Problem in Lancaster County: The DWI Problem Identification Guide was scrutinized to identify weaknesses and determine appropriate corrective strategies. The guide was then revised and distributed
Responsible Beverage Service Training: A series of training seminars were developed and marketed to local businesses. Monthly council meetings and two community forums addressing irresponsible use of alcohol were also coordinated

RESULTS
Although this program is ongoing, impressive results have transpired. As a result of information collected from DWI arrests and the focus survey on the DWI problem in Lancaster County, most on-sale establishments have ceased to offer free drinks to twenty- one year olds on their birthdays. This has effectively stopped the excess consumption promotion referred to as the "Birthday Bar Crawl". The city council has also endorsed, as part of the liquor license application process, required server training. Responsible Beverage Service & Management seminars have been conducted and expanded to include training for social chairpersons at sororities and fraternities at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. A variety of alcohol-related publications have also been developed including: The Practical Guide to Responsible Hospitality, Primers for Drivers, and the Common Sense Guide.

Cooperative and consensus building activities on the part of the Lincoln Council on Alcoholism and Drugs have expanded among on- and off-sale establishments in the city of Lincoln.

FUNDING
	Section 402:	$25,490
	Lincoln Council on Alcoholism and Drugs:	$23,451
CONTACT
	Fred Zwonechek, Administrator Nebraska Office of Highway Safety P.O. Box 94612 Lincoln, NB 68509 (402) 471-2515

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Spring 1997