Public and political concern and action focussed on the problem of dri
nking and driving during the 1980s was unprecedented. This paper exami
nes the impact of these collective efforts by analyzing trends in the
magnitude of the alcohol crash problem in Canada as reflected by drink
ing driver fatalities. After many years of little or no change in the
magnitude of the drinking-driving problem, beginning in the early 1980
s, both the number and percent of drinking driver fatalities began to
decline. This trend continued over the entire decade. Despite these ga
ins, a significant problem remains, in particular drivers with very hi
gh blood alcohol concentrations who appear to be relatively unaffected
by countermeasures based on traditional measures such as deterrence a
nd persuasion. New, innovative programs will be necessary to deal effe
ctively with this ''hard core'' heavy drinking group.