Attempts to Dissuade Drinkers from Driving: The Effect of Driver Characteristics

Abstract

Data on 148 convicted DWI offenders were analyzed to determine whether characteristics of intoxicated drivers have an influence on the likelihood that other people would attempt to dissuade them from driving. Results indicate that women, older people, people who are fearful or anxious, and people who are seriously impaired by alcohol are more likely than others to be the object of attempts to dissuade them from driving while intoxicated. Two explanations of these patterns are offered. One is based on the notion of perceived social threat. The other is based on the notion of perceived self-sufficiency (or the lack thereof).