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Preventing Impaired Driving through College-Based Free Ride Home Programs

Driving after drinking alcohol continues throughout the U.S. The 2003 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's numbers estimate that 17,013 people were killed in alcohol related crashes. Progress has been made over the past few years, but the rate of decline has slowed or even reversed. This confirms the need for new approaches to prevent these fatalities. This article examines one new approach that involves college based 'free ride home' program. This program has been operating at Texas A&M University for six years. Its founder, Jeff Shiefelbein, was convicted of DWI in 1997. After completing his sentence, he took action by starting, in his words, "the best designated driver program in the country". He formed CARPOOL whose mission is to provide a safe and reliable commuting environment by providing free, non-judgmental rides home to intoxicated students. The program transports people only to their homes; it will not drop patrons at the next bar down the street. The article provides an overview of how the program works and suggests that driver training instructors could use information in this article to discuss preventing impaired driving and in presenting opportunities for direct participation in such efforts in the future.

  • Availability:
  • Authors:
    • Floyd-Bann, E E
    • Van Tassel, W E
    • Dennis, M E
  • Publication Date: 2005

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Media Type: Print
  • Features: References; Tables;
  • Pagination: pp 7-8
  • Serial:
    • The Chronicle
    • Volume: 53
    • Issue Number: 1
    • Publisher: Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana
    • ISSN: 0164-1344

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01005817
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Oct 21 2005 7:58AM