Prevention of Drinking and Driving

Since the early 1980’s, legislative initiatives, such as the minimum legal drinking age of 21, administrative license revocation, and lower legal blood alcohol concentration limits for youth and adults, have significantly decreased alcohol-related traffic fatalities. General deterrence legislation is aimed at dissuading the general public from driving after drinking, whereas specific deterrence laws seek to prevent people who have been convicted for driving under the influence from repeating their offense. Education, enforcement, and comprehensive community programs, combined with legislation, can substantially reduce alcohol-related traffic deaths.