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UT And Texas A&M Win Drunk Driving Prevention Award

30 November 1998

UT And Texas A&M Win First Annual Drinking and Driving Prevention Award

    AUSTIN, Texas--Nov. 27, 1998--AAA Texas today presented the first annual College and University Drinking and Driving Prevention Award to the University of Texas at Austin (UT) and Texas A&M University. The universities were recognized for programs that provide transportation alternatives aimed at reducing drinking and driving among students. Each program received a $1,000 award.
    The new College and University Drinking and Driving Prevention Award program is sponsored by AAA Texas and the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention. The program recognizes Texas college and university programs that reduce campus drinking and driving or control campus alcohol or drug use which can result in impaired driving.
    "Binge drinking continues to be a problem among college students, as confirmed by a recent national survey, and has been associated with student deaths and injuries on college campuses," said Bill Noble, government and public relations manager for AAA Texas. "Drinking can also lead to aggressive behavior, impaired driving and serious illness. Our award program acknowledges and rewards colleges and universities for innovative efforts to decrease student drinking, drug use and driving under the influence."
    UT received the award for operating the Designated Driver Program, which has provided free taxicab and shuttle services since 1989. UT students who are too intoxicated to drive, or who have been stranded without a sober driver can call for a taxi from anywhere in Austin to the student's home address. A shuttle bus service provides one-way transportation from the 6th Street entertainment district to various points on campus and the surrounding area. The program is run by a ten-member student board of directors that oversees the operations, volunteer recruitment and promotion. It has provided more than 18,000 rides home for students since 1992.
    "We believe our program has contributed to reducing the number of students who may have otherwise driven while intoxicated or traveled in a vehicle driven by someone who is intoxicated," said Debora Orrick, campus alcohol and drug education program coordinator. "We're pleased to have our work recognized by AAA Texas and the Higher Education Center."
    Texas A&M University's DAB Transit program began after a survey discovered that 21 percent of students on campus drink and drive, and that limited mass transit is available. With support from the Brazos Valley Community Action Agency, students set up a not-for-profit venture, including shuttle buses to carry students and Bryan/College Station residents from campus locations and apartment complexes to entertainment areas in town and back home. The program, which was developed by Texas A&M graduate Matthew Kenyon, enlisted support from community leaders, restaurants and bars. "The program provided 850 rides during its first semester of operation," said Kenyon. "Bars and clubs helped us promote the service by informing their customers about the alternative transportation."
    William DeJong, director of the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention, said years of experience with alcohol and other drug prevention programs have shown that it takes more than education to influence students.
    "Their choices are shaped by campus social norms, the accessibility of alcohol, the extent to which school regulations and state laws are firmly enforced, the availability of non-alcohol social options and access to alternative transportation," said DeJong. "All these factors can be influenced through policies and programs developed by schools and communities as demonstrated at these schools."
    Entries were judged on overall program quality, program administration and effectiveness in goal achievement. The evaluation committee is made up of drinking and driving prevention experts from Texas A&M University; the Automobile Club of Southern California; Higher Education Center; California Office of Traffic Safety; University of California, Santa Barbara; San Diego State University; New Mexico Traffic Safety Bureau; and the National Transportation Safety Board.
    More information about the Drinking and Driving Prevention Award is available from the AAA Texas web site at www.aaa-texas.com or the Higher Education Center's site at www.edc.org/hec.
    Colleges and universities throughout Texas this fall once again have the opportunity to submit entries. Application information is available on both web sites.
    AAA Texas is committed to reducing the number of alcohol-related crashes by offering a variety of anti-DUI/DWI and traffic safety programs, including Tipsy Tow, a program that takes impaired drivers home with their car in tow. AAA Texas also participates in a coalition that sponsors holiday anti-drinking and driving messages on billboards throughout the state.
    The Higher Education Center, funded since 1993 by the U.S. Department of Education, is the nation's primary resource for assisting colleges and universities to develop and carry out alcohol and other drug problem prevention on campuses and in surrounding communities.