Citation

Hames LN, Petrucelli E. Am. Assoc. Automot. Med. Q. J. 1980; 2(4): 17-21.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1980, American Association for Automotive Medicine)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In a joint American Medical Association/American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators project, a three and one-half minute film was developed (under Distilled Spirits Council sponsorship) relating minimum facts needed by teenagers to make intelligent decisions about drinking. When the knowledge test scores of high school driver education students were compared with those of a control group (knowledge base), the teenagers who had seen the film had significantly higher scores than those who had not, on tests made immediately after film presentation and four months later. A quiz with reinforcing questions resulted in better knowledge retention. Students scored well on questions related to time as a sobering factor, overall effect of alcohol on the body, the national speed limit, and the alcohol content of beer vs. whiskey. Questions with poor score results were related to the depressant effect of alcohol, blood alcohol levels, body weight and alcohol effect, value of drinking experience, fatigue and intoxication, and alcohol involvement in traffic accidents. It was learned that materials based on a "risk factor" theme are more effective, as well as those that avoid both "preaching" and "violation of the law" angles. The project also evaluated the alcohol education content of state driver manuals. Of 33 manuals with some educational material, only seven were judged good. State manuals covering other drugs and additional alcohol educational materials were also identified. Information from these phases of the project will be used for development of material for driver manuals.