Drink-driving programme makes an impact

An innovative programme aimed at reducing drink-driving in Waitaki looks set to continue and could go nationwide after receiving the thumbs up in an independent report.

Waitaki District Council Waitaki Community Safety Officer, Alison Banks, developed the recidivist drink driving prevention programme in partnership with Senior Constable Ross Lory, of the Oamaru Police.

It was launched as a six-month trial by Judge Stephen O’Driscoll in Oamaru last November.

Mrs Banks said the report resulting from an evaluation of the programme was highly supportive of it continuing in Waitaki and also of expanding it beyond the district, meaning it could go nationwide.

“The report described the programme as a novel mechanism for changing behaviour and said it aligns with the thinking of current research. It also described the DVD used in the programme as “powerful and emotional”.

Mrs Banks said the programme is designed to stop repeat offending by drink drivers.

“It is a tool for first-time offenders to genuinely reflect on how they perceive their own behaviour, to take responsibility for driving while drunk, and to think about the potential consequences of their actions.”

She said the programme has generated a high level of interest from outside the district, especially within the police and justice community.

The 14 minute DVD used in the programme recounts the stories of parents, police and members of the community who have witnessed the devastating effects of drink-driving. It also contains footage from television programme Police 10-7.

Prior to sentencing, drink-drivers appearing in the Oamaru District view the DVD and are then asked questions by the sitting judge.

The answers and attitudes are taken into consideration during sentencing.

The DVD was viewed by 80 offenders during the first six months, with two of the first to see it describing it as a “wake up call” and “a very powerful message”.

Senior Constable Lory said the DVD is about offenders having an “effective, visual experience - seeing first hand the effects on parents, families and the community when they chose to get behind the wheel while drunk”.

Follow-up questionnaires are sent to offenders one month after sentencing, as well as two weeks before they receive their licence back. There will also ongoing contact with offenders.

The report noted that the follow-up, assistance, monitoring and evaluation involved in the programme were a “key mechanism” in its success.

Mrs Banks said the six month trial period had offered valuable information on the behaviour of drink-drivers and in identifying who would be likely to re-offend.

This information, along with the evaluation report, would be used to do some “fine-tuning” of both the DVD and evaluation process to ensure its ongoing effectiveness.

At this stage it had not been confirmed when the programme would be used outside the district.