NCJ Number
85630
Journal
Accident Analysis and Prevention Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (1980) Pages: 131-141
Date Published
1980
Length
11 pages
Annotation
A public education campaign designed to increase impaired drivers' subjective probability of arrest was implemented and evaluated.
Abstract
The campaign emphasized implications of recent changes in the Canadian Criminal Code. A quasi-experimental design was used for evaluation. In the two test cities, the law changed, and the campaign was presented. In one control city, the law changed and the campaign was delayed. In the other control city, neither the law was changed nor the campaign shown. Significant increases in knowledge of the changes in legislation occurred in the test cities but not in the controls. Subjective probability of arrest for impaired driving (SPAID) also increased in the test cities but not in controls. Increases in SPAID were maintained over a 3-month period despite declines in knowledge about legislation, suggesting that variables other than public education may have affected SPAID over time. It is concluded that the immediate increases in knowledge and SPAID were due to the influence of the campaign and that the long term increase in SPAID could not be unequivocally attributed to the effects of public education. Figures, notes, and 12 references are included. (Author abstract modified)