The effect of a community crash reenactment program on teen alcohol awareness and behavior

Abstract

Study Objectives: Motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) are the leading cause of death in US teens, encompassing greater than one in 3 deaths. In 2008, 25% of drivers aged 15-20 years killed in an MVC had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 g/dL or higher, and the teenager risk for involvement in a MVC at all BAC levels is greater than that of older drivers. Mock crash reenactments are community alcohol injury prevention programs targeting high school students, involving a driving while under the influence (DUI) fatal car crash. Students watch a scripted scene with actual staged damaged vehicles, local police activation, fire-rescue extraction and treatment of crash victims, and an on-scene death of a fellow student. Our objective was to study the effect of a crash reenactment program on high school students' alcohol knowledge, and drinking and driving attitudes and behaviors of, and to improve on the effects of alcohol. Methods: >>Operation Prom Night<< is a community-sponsored crash reenactment program sponsored by the Red Cross of Central Illinois and the Illinois Department of Transportation that is staged at participating high schools during April annually in Central Illinois. A pre-post design quasi experimental study was conducted of student participants for each crash reenactment event between 2007 and 2011. The 11 question written survey queried participants' demographics, alcohol knowledge and usage patterns, and alcohol and driving attitudes. The survey utilized multiple choice, Likert scale attitudinal responses (strongly disagree to strongly agree) and comments. Responses were analyzed descriptively and collapsed into dichotomous positive and negative responses when appropriate; nominal variable comparisons were performed using Pearson's Chi square with P<0.05 considered significant. Results: During the study period, 18 crash reenactments were performed, involving 13 different high schools (10 metropolitan, 3 rural), with 947 pre-intervention and 840 post-intervention surveys completed. Participants were 14 to 19 years (mean= 16.5; SD= 1.14) were more often female (52.9%), and often or always utilized seat belts (85.6%). Students' knowledge regarding the effects of drinking and driving, alcohol impairing reflexes, judgment and decisionmaking, and the effect of alcohol on brain development improved with the intervention (78.6% to 89.0%; p<0.0001). Students after the intervention were more likely to think about the risks associated with drinking and driving (77.1% to 85%; p = 0.0001) and reported they would be less likely to drive intoxicated or get into a car with an intoxicated driver (78.5% to 83.6%; p = 0.007). However, the intervention did not affect those students who planned on using alcohol after prom activities (71.8% versus 73.7%; p = 0.395). No differences in knowledge or behavior pre-post responses were noted between participant location, sex or reported prior alcohol consumption. Conclusion: A crash reenactment program in a Central Illinois high school population impacted student alcohol awareness knowledge and decreased the reported likelihood to drive intoxicated or travel with an intoxicated driver. However, the intervention did not affect respondents' reported planned use of alcohol during prom activities.