7 Safe ride home programs are used less extensively, 8 and often only for special holidays associated with drinking. Designated driver programs have been widely promoted 6 and are popular among various groups. Safe ride home programs provide alternative means of transportation such as taxis, vans and limousines, or provide a different driver to drive the individual's car home. 4, 5 Designated driver programs require individuals to plan who will drive whom after drinking so that, ideally, the designated driver does not consume any alcohol. 3ĭesignated driver and safe ride home programs are the two measures that have been proposed to decrease the toll due to alcohol‐impaired driving.

2 The problem of alcohol‐impaired driving is a worldwide one and may be increasing in some countries such as Sweden. 1 The highest proportion of intoxication among fatally injured drivers is in those aged 21–34 years. About half of these deaths are due to alcohol‐related injuries, and occur most commonly in motor vehicle crashes. Over 60 000 people die due to harmful drinking each year in the US.