Kenneth H. Beck, PhD, Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, College of Health and Human Performance, College Park, MD 20742, (301) 405-2527, kb9@umail.umd.edu and Mary Moser, MA, Department of Public & Community Health, University of Maryland, 2387 Valley Drive, College Park, MD 20742.

Purpose: To compare drivers who were; (1) exposed to Maryland’s sobriety “Checkpoint Strikeforce” campaign, (2) unexposed but aware of it, and (3) neither exposed nor aware. This 6-month campaign involved periodic road-side sobriety checkpoints, where police attempted to detect and arrest drunk drivers, and a series of radio announcements that promoted public awareness. Method: A statewide sample of 1725 drivers were interviewed by telephone to determine their exposure to and awareness of this campaign, as well as their beliefs and behaviors concerning drunk driving and seat belt usage. Results: Relatively few people (9.6%) were exposed in any way to the campaign; however almost 30% were aware of it. Significant increases in perceived vulnerability to arrest for drinking and driving were found among those who were exposed. There were no differences in reported drinking and driving, but seat belt usage in the last 30 days was higher among those who were exposed. There were no differences among those drivers who had been directly exposed to the campaign (i.e., personally gone through a sobriety checkpoint) and those who were indirectly exposed (i.e., knew a family member or someone else who went through a checkpoint). Conclusions: Exposure to a sobriety checkpoint was associated with increased perceptions of drink-driving risk (i.e., likelihood of getting caught by the police), which was not dependent upon having personally experiencing it. Awareness without exposure appears to be insufficient to change perceived risk. The need to increase the reach and frequency of the sobriety “Checkpoint Strikeforce” campaign is indicated.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to

• Describe the procedures used in conducting a roadside sobriety checkpoint.
• List the components of Maryland’s Checkpoint Strikeforce campaign.
• Recognize the limitations of state-wide drinking and driving enforcement campaigns when they are under-promoted.
• Understand the benefits of being exposed to a sobriety checkpoint, compared to being aware but not exposed to it.

Keywords: Motor Vehicles, Alcohol Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.