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SOCIAL DRINKING AND DRIVING: TECHNIQUES TO REDUCE THE RISK OF IMPAIRMENT

This research project investigated training procedures which might be used to reduce the high incidence of alcohol-related accidents by young male drivers under moderate doses of alcohol. Five experiments tested the tolerance-induced effect of imagining alcohol effects and mentally rehearsing a motor skill task. The research indicated this treatment may enhance alcohol tolerance, but within the constraints of an experiment, only a marginal reduction in impairment could be demonstrated. Thus a direct application of this treatment in a prevention program appeared somewhat impractical. However, additional studies suggested another possible effective and feasible technique. These experiments demonstrated that mental practice of a task only enhanced tolerance when mental performance was associated with some desirable imaginary consequence, and thinking about this association was as effective as actual first-hand experience. This cognitive association could readily be incorporated in prevention programs which alert young drivers to the fact that moderate doses of alcohol are not benign, even though they are legal. By stressing the advantages of compensating for the impairing effect of alcohol, drivers could be educated to recognize that the effects of mild doses are largely under their own control, and that precautions can be both desirable and effective.

  • Corporate Authors:

    University of Waterloo

    Department of Psychology
    Waterloo, Ontario  Canada  N2L 3G1
  • Authors:
    • Vogel-Sprott, M
  • Publication Date: 1990-6

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; References;
  • Pagination: 15 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00600341
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Oct 31 1990 12:00AM