PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Wisconsin's North Woods region is located in the northern two-thirds of the state, and comprises a vast rural area with limited access to public transportation and taxicab services. During the summer months, North Woods experiences a large influx of tourists participating in recreational activities throughout the region. These activities often center around the hospitality business in restaurants and bars. As a result, the incidence of alcohol-related traffic crashes in North Woods is much higher than in other areas of the state. Traffic safety officials in Wisconsin recognized a need to provide alternative transportation to patrons of bars and restaurants who consume alcohol.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
In 1994, state traffic safety officials created North Woods Driving Force. The primary goal of this program is to decrease the number of impaired driving crashes in Wisconsin by implementing a three-tiered approach with the following objectives:

• Providing certified alcohol server intervention training
• Implementation of comprehensive Designated Driver programs
• Initiating confidential Safe Ride alternative transportation programs

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
Wisconsin law requires bartenders to complete a four hour server training course to receive a license. However, only one licensed bartender is needed on the premises, leaving a large number of people serving alcohol with little or no training in responsible alcohol service. North Woods Driving Force staff are trained instructors for TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures), a national program designed to reduce alcohol abuse and impaired driving by enhancing the fundamental skills of servers and sellers of alcohol. The TIPS program was presented to servers and sellers throughout Wisconsin, and provided a practical, common sense approach to responsible alcohol service and intervention techniques in any setting. Role playing and group interaction are also an integral part of the program.

TIPS training places special emphasis on a designated driver program. Driving Force instructors used Wisconsin Department of Transportation materials customized to meet the needs of each establishment. Materials included posters, table tents, coasters, decals and other promotional items as reminders to use a designated driver. Recognition was given to frequent designated drivers through an incentive program awarding prizes to those who served as drivers.

The third tier of the North Woods Driving Force program is a taxi fare reimbursement program referred to as "Home Free". Participating Driving Force communities ranged from those with cab services, limited cab services or no organized transportation services available. For communities with little or no transportation services, North Woods coordinators contacted local chambers of commerce, businesses and tavern league members, in an effort to work within the community to develop local Home Free chapters. In some cases, a steering committee was developed to use a peer to peer approach in which business professionals contacted each other to help generate interest in Home Free.

RESULTS In 1996, more than 135 establishments have signed on and committed to one or more of the tiers of Driving Force. There are over 12 Home Free programs established in North Woods. The TIPS program has been certified in Wisconsin as meeting the requirements for bartender licensing. North Woods has also joined Businesses Against Drunk Driving (BADD) in delivering TIPS throughout Wisconsin.

FUNDING   Section 410: $342,510 CONTACT     Thomas A. Wanta Coordinator North Woods Project 5875 Airport Road P.O. Box 587 Boulder Junction, WI 54512 (715) 385-2735