Volume 2, Number 3 - March/April 1999

African Americans constitute 11 percent of the U.S. population. Yet, almost 21 percent of the 257,000 Americans injured in drinking-related motor vehicle crashes each year are of African descent. Although the average African American teenager travels fewer vehicle miles than his or her white counterpart, he or she is twice as likely to die in a motor vehicle collision. African American children ages 5 through 12 are at three times the risk of dying in an automobile collision than are white children in the same age group.

Statistics like these helped motivate the National Black Alcoholism and Addiction Council to form Blacks Against Drunk Driving (BADD). BADD began as a campaign to use Black History Month (celebrated each February) to raise awareness of the devastating consequences of drinking and driving to the African American community. BADD, with funding from NHTSA, is expanding its focus to year-round activities, especially in historically black colleges and universities, and urban areas with a high proportion of African American residents.

BADD undertook a series of focus groups and interviews in a number of states to understand why black high school and college students drink and drive and to identify effective strategies to convince young African Americans to refrain from this dangerous activity. The results of this research will be published later this year. BADD is also embarking on a campaign to establish local affiliates in African American communities and on college campuses. Pilot educational activities have been conducted at colleges in North Carolina.

Peter Hayden of BADD points out that "the traditional programs on drinking and driving have not been effective in African American communities. We need to find a mechanism to let African Americans know that drunk and drugged driving is a problem that affects their community. We need to personalize the message for African Americans." Hayden believes that BADD will strengthen efforts to prevent drinking and driving by bringing African Americans and African American organizations to the cause. He would like to see more African Americans become involved in anti-drunk driving organizations such as MADD. He would also like more African American organizations, including black churches, to participate in Safe Communities coalitions and other community-based efforts to improve traffic safety.

For more information about BADD, contact John Robertson, National Black Alcoholism and Addiction Council, 285 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13501. Telephone: (315) 798-8066.

Top of Page