PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Each year during the holiday season, impaired driving incidents increase, killing and injuring several citizens on the Greater Casper and Natrona County roads. In 1999, there were six fatal crashes killing 10 people. Another 132 people were injured in 88 personal injury crashes.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of the You Drink & Drive. You Lose program is to eliminate fatalities and reduce injuries due to alcohol related crashes.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

This highly visible and active program was a collaborative effort between Police, Sheriff, Highway Patrol, Fire, municipalities within the county, the Governor, local businesses, and the media. This program was designed to draw attention to impaired driving in the Greater Casper and Natrona County, Wyoming area, specifically during the holiday periods between October 2000 and January 2001.

The program included the following activities:

• A press conference with the media, Governor Geringer, Wyoming Highway Patrol (WYHP), Colonel Cox, and alcohol crash victim Brandon Johnson was held to announce the campaign’s goals and actions. The ceremony concluded with all attendees (including mayors from the communities, the Governor, Senator Thomas, and guests) showing their unity and support of the program by tying red Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) ribbons to their personal vehicles. Additionally, the Governor and Senator ascended in a Fire Department Snorkel apparatus to hang a 15-foot red ribbon as a gesture of support for the upcoming campaign.

• Safe Communities/Safe Kids of Central Wyoming developed a series of five, free 15- and 30-second public service announcements (PSAs) with the help of K2TV. The PSAs began airing following the press conference and through the holiday seasons (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years).

• Bars, restaurants, and lounges serving alcohol were invited to participate in the designated driving program during December. Of the 28 contacted, only two declined to participate. The establishments received gift certificates and event tickets. Designated drivers were offered a free non-alcoholic beverage in the establishment.

• Taxi and towing companies were asked to help get impaired drivers and their vehicles home safely; the companies consented to doing this free of charge for the New Year's Eve weekend.

• Information regarding the program was distributed at the Holiday Parade in Casper on November 24. The float entry entitled, You Drink & Drive. You Lose was viewed by a crowd of 4,000+.

• More than 700 locally designed posters were distributed by the impaired driving coalition in the community regarding the campaign.

RESULTS

In the Greater Casper and Natrona County, there were zero fatalities (alcohol related or other factors) reported during the 2000 winter holiday season (October 2000 through January 2001). There was a reduction of alcohol related crashes and injuries for the entire year of 2000 compared to those in 1999. Fatal crashes decreased from 6 to 2; total fatalities from 10 to 2; personal injury crashes from 88 to 72; and total injuries from 132 to 95.

   WINTER 2002