Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention Overview
While declines in alcohol-related traffic deaths occurred in the 1980s and
early 1990s, progress has since stalled.
Every year, 17,000 people are killed in alcohol-related crashes.1
Efforts need to be recharged – new models for intervention need to be developed, implemented,
and evaluated. The causes of impaired driving are complex, and require a comprehensive strategy.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has identified three
priority initiatives to help reduce driving while impaired (DWI) and to focus greater attention on
the impaired driving problem. Implementation of these initiatives will support and involve
active participation of law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and medical and
health care professionals. These three priority initiatives are: (1) high visibility enforcement;
(2) support for prosecutors and DWI courts; and (3) alcohol screening and brief intervention (ASBI). This brochure focuses on ASBI – what it is and how to promote it in States,
communities and hospitals across the Nation.