Prevalence and effectiveness of self-regulatory techniques used to avoid drunk driving.

Research suggests that drinkers often use personal self-regulatory techniques to avoid drunk driving. A population-representative sample of 427 people at high risk of drunk driving were interviewed to examine the extent to which they used self-regulatory techniques. Most popular techniques were limiting drinks to a predetermined number, organizing another driver, catching a taxi, and spontaneously delaying or avoiding driving after alcohol has been consumed. After controlling exposure to demographic and drinking behavior variables, limiting drinks to a predetermined number was the only technique associated with a reduced likelihood of drunk driving. Respondents who used taxis and drank low-alcohol beer were more likely to report drunk driving, as were those who spontaneously decided to delay or avoid driving after drinking. Although interpretation of the findings is constrained by the cross-sectional survey methodology, further investigations may lead to the development of countermeasures which promote the use of appropriate techniques.