BACCHUS Promotes Impaired Driving Prevention

Impaired driving continues to be a concern on college campuses throughout the United States. Experts estimate that over 1300 college students die each year in alcohol-related motor vehicle fatalities. Although most college students choose not to drink and drive, nearly one-third of college students report driving under the influence. The BACCHUS Network, a national organization focusing on comprehensive health and safety initiatives, is providing college and university administrators and students with the tools to prevent impaired driving and save student lives.

The BACCHUS Network Team Up to Prevent Impaired Driving Campaign addresses the importance of educating students about the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and how to program, throughout the year, to prevent impaired driving. The first weekend back to campus, Halloween, homecoming, finals week, and graduation can all be events and activities that are high-risk for increased alcohol use and impaired driving. The Team Up to Prevent Impaired Driving Campaign includes a programming manual, posters, pamphlets and promotional items to help campuses plan a comprehensive, year-round program to reduce drinking and driving. By using the campaign, campuses can remind students to protect themselves and their friends by making the choice to drive sober and to not ride with a driver who is impaired.

Campuses using the Team Up campaign can encourage students to develop a game plan before going out with their friends. The Team Up campaign empowers students to designate a non-drinking, non-drug using driver, bring phone numbers and enough money for a cab or public transportation, or arrange before going out to be picked up by a sober driver at the end of the night.

The BACCHUS Network supports collaboration between campuses and community members through the formation of coalitions to address the impaired driving issues both on and off campus. On the BACCHUS sponsored website, www.friendsdrivesober.org, students and administrators will find model programs from across the country and tools to help build strong campus and community coalitions. By working together, campuses and communities can have a significant impact on impaired driving.

For more information on the Team Up to Prevent Impaired Driving Campaign and additional educational materials for impaired driving and alcohol abuse prevention, visit www.bacchusnetwork.org or www.friendsdrivesober.org.

Adapted from BACCHUS Network Press Release. If you would like to see your chapter news here, contact Communications Coordinator Tom McAninch.