Watauga County is ranked in the top 18 Counties in North Carolina for Alcohol Related Motor Vehicle Crashes

Source: Graham, Phillip; Carol Council; Michael Bradshaw, and Claudia Squire (2007). Community Needs Assessment Workbook. Prepared by RTI institute for the NC SPF-SIG Initiative to combat Alcohol Related Crashes. Year Number of alcohol related crashes Number of DWI cases 2, N/A 1 Alcohol-related crashes/fatalities represent a subset of DWI arrests 2 Total number of court-disposed DWI cases 3 DWI cases under represent the total number of people charged with drinking and driving

Source: Graham, Phillip; Carol Council; Michael Bradshaw, and Claudia Squire (2007). Community Needs Assessment Workbook. Prepared by RTI institute for the NC SPF-SIG Initiative to combat Alcohol Related Crashes.

When conducting a needs assessment in Watauga County with regard to drinking and driving, the following problems areas were identified and prioritized: 1.Low Perceived Risk 2.Social Availability 3.Social Norms

1.Low perceived risk of legal consequences if caught Drinking and Driving *Many held the belief that the law enforcement and adjudication resources in Watauga County were insufficient to fully enforce alcohol-related laws especially in the context of large groups of people. 2.Low perceived risk of alcohol use *Many people denied the physical implications of alcohol misuse

1. Availability of alcohol at unsupervised locations *College student apartments and private residences with minimal parent supervision are a frequent venue for access to alcohol for legal and non-legal age college students and high school students. 2. Lack of alternative non-alcohol-related social options *Particularly non-alcohol late night activities, may also contribute to high levels of social alcohol availability. 3. Reinforcement of alcohol use among parents and peers * Some parents of minor children knowingly serve alcohol to their teenage children and other teenagers in an effort to provide a relatively safe drinking environment.

1. Social acceptance and encouragement *In homes where multigenerational use was reported, the perception was that it was typical and tacitly endorsed. 2. Some argue that alcohol consumption is a right of passage *Among high school and college and students, alcohol use, including heavy episodic use, was perceived as common and often as part of an expected and touted ritual. 3. Availability of alcohol in homes and at parties *Alcohol is readily available in the Watauga County community as part of regular social activities and events. 4. Public acknowledgement versus private use of alcohol *Differences between public and private behavior may limit the discussion and/or acknowledgement of alcohol-related problems.

Source: Graham, Phillip; Carol Council; Michael Bradshaw, and Claudia Squire (2007). Community Needs Assessment Workbook. Prepared by RTI institute for the NC SPF-SIG Initiative to combat Alcohol Related Crashes.

2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Watauga High School 60% of students report ever having consumed alcohol (875 students) 42% of students report having consumed alcohol in the past 30 days (612 students) 28% of students report binge drinking in the past 30 days (408 students) *Binge drinking: more than 5 drinks in a row over a 2 hour period

2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey: Watauga High School Riding with an Impaired Driver In the past 30 days, 22% (320 students) of WHS students report having ridden in a car being driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol. Underage Drinking and Driving In the past 30 days, 20% (68 students) of WHS seniors report driving after consuming alcohol.

Watauga County Law Enforcement Officers greatly impact our ability to reduce the number of Alcohol Related Crashes!

Thanks to our Law Enforcement Officers there are over 180 Checkpoints in Watauga County every year!

Many different Law Enforcement Offices work together to conduct checkpoints

Conduct DWI and Alcohol Awareness Programs in the dorms Conduct a beer goggles program to aid in showing how fine motor skills are decreased when alcohol impaired Sponsor education and awareness programs using the DWI BAT Mobile (BAT: Breath Alcohol Testing)

Work hard to enhance training and educate the public Provide DWI arrests when necessary to keep our roads safe Spend time in court to assist in the adjudication process Work closely with neighboring jurisdictions to make it apparent to the travelling public that they are not safe to drive unsafely on any roads in the area

Express your appreciation to Law Enforcement Officers for the work they do Write a letter to the newspaper editors to express your appreciation Volunteer to provide food and drinks for officers during a DWI checkpoint If you have an event with alcohol, implement strategies to prevent guests from driving impaired Do not allow friends or family members to drive under the influence Join MADD

Thank you for all you do to reduce drinking and driving in our community!