The Designated Driver Program




As members of law enforcement, we see all to often
the tragic effects impaired driving has on each of our communities.

Lives are taken in drunk driving accidents that could have easily been prevented.




The Designated Driver Program
is a voluntary program in Plymouth County.
It is a cooperative effort between
the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office,
the local Police Departments,
and the licensed alcohol servers across Plymouth County.


Designated Driver Communities



Hingham          Hull          Marshfield           Norwell          Rockland


About the Program



It is not meant to endorse any underage drinking and is not to be used for minors.

The program, which began in Hingham, is designed to raise awareness to the problem of drinking and driving.

It is a cooperative effort aimed at reducing the number of impaired drivers on the road, which will effectively reduce preventable deaths and injuries caused by impaired driving.

The program promotes a continuous dialogue between local establishments, the local police department and the District Attorney's Office.

What is a Designated Driver?



A Designated Driver is a person, who at the beginning of the night, agrees not to drink ANY alcoholic beverages during their evening out.    It does not mean choosing the
"most sober" or the "least drunk" at the end of the night to be designated to drive.

The Designated Driver accepts the responsibility to ensure that the other members in their party, especially those who are impaired, are transported home safely.



How the Program Works



Participation is voluntary and controlled by the private business.


The program is easy to implement.  Each business agrees to provide free non-alcoholic beverages to patrons who identify themselves as the Designated Driver to their server.

They must be in a party of at least two people and not consume any alcoholic drinks
that evening.

If the Designated Driver orders an alcoholic beverage, or is seen consuming an alcoholic beverage, the Designated Driver status is revoked and the non-alcoholic beverages previously served will be charged at the full price.

Statistics



According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association,
Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes kill someone every 48 minutes.
(Traffic Safety Facts- 2009 DATA, NHTSA 2010)

  • "In 2009, there were 10,839 fatalities in crashes involving a driver with a BAC of .08 or higher-32% of total traffic fatalities for the year."


  • "92 of the 181 child passengers, age 14 and younger, who died in alcohol-related crashes during 2009 were riding with the drinking driver.


  • "In 2009, 27 children, age 14 and younger, were killed as pedestrians or bicyclists by impaired drivers."


  • "In 2009, 14% of child traffic fatalities,(age 14 and younger), occurred in alcohol-impaired driving crashes."


Click here to view Traffic Safety Facts from NHTSA


In July 2011, Anheuser-Bush hired GfK Roper Custom Research, North America, to conduct a Designated Driver Poll.   Using random digit dialing procedures, 1000 Americans age 21 and older were contacted through a telephone survey.

The results showed:
  • "58% of the Americans polled have been a designated driver."


  • "35% of the Americans polled have been driven home by a designated driver."


  • "86% of the Americans polled believe designated drivers are an excellent, or good way
    to help reduce drunk driving."
Plymouth County District Attorney´s Office
32 Belmont Street
Brockton, MA 02301
508-584-8120