LEGAL AND SOCIAL-CONTROL OF ALCOHOL-IMPAIRED DRIVING IN CALIFORNIA - 1983-1994

Objective: This research was designed to provide information on the le gal and social forces that influence change in control of alcohol-impa ired driving. Method: Attitudes, perceptions and behaviors concerning drinking and driving for California drivers in 1994 (n = 608) were com pared to similar information collected from California drivers in 1983 and 1986 (n = 291) through random-digit-dialing telephone interviews. Results: Self-reported drinking-driving violations showed a substanti al decline, paralleling the well-documented drop in alcohol-related tr affic crashes during this time span. A large reduction in drinking bef ore driving was reported for all age groups, men and women, and for bo th heavy drinkers and light drinkers. There was evidence of an increas e in the levels of both general deterrence and general prevention. Inc reased external control was reflected in greater knowledge of drinking -driving laws and trends toward an increased expectation that violatio ns would be followed by unpleasant consequences. Strong gains in creat ing a social norm for control of alcohol-impaired driving: were indica ted by perceptions that friends and relatives were more likely to disa pprove of driving after drinking, observations of more control of drin king by drivers at occasions where alcohol is sen-ed and an increase i n the view that it is morally wrong to drive after heavy drinking. Con clusions: California has made substantial progress in efforts to contr ol alcohol-impaired driving, through increases in both general deterre nce (fear of punishment) and general prevention (moral inhibitions and socialization of preventive habits), especially the latter.