Measures

A measure is effective when it leads to either a substantial reduction of the crash rate associated with alcohol consumption or to a substantial reduction of the number of kilometres driven while the driver is drunk (the prevalence). There is no treatment for drink drivers that will cure them from their acute impairments. If there were some kind of miracle pill that would make it perfectly safe to drive while drunk, the road safety problem due to alcohol would be solved. Such a pill doesn't exist, although some drivers erroneously believe that drinking coffee or drinking water after having consumed alcohol helps them to sober up. As there is no treatment possible, all measures are aimed at reducing the prevalence of drink driving. The measures to reduce drink driving can be categorized in five separate groups. These groups are:

Reducing the availability of alcohol

• Limiting selling points
• Raising prices
• Raising the minimum drinking age

Separating drinking from driving

• Alcohol ignition interlocks
• Designated driver programmes

Police enforcement

• Legal limits
• Amount of (random) roadside breath tests
• Sanctions

Education and information

• Education programmes on alcohol in schools and in driver training
• Driver improvement courses (rehabilitation courses)
• Public campaigns
• Promotion of safety culture