Designate a Driver: Save a Life; Save the Environment
Survey Results Reinforce Responsibility Practice as Perfect Holiday Plan
ST. LOUIS (Dec. 22, 2008) — According to a 2008 survey conducted on behalf of Anheuser-Busch by TNS Custom Research Inc., a majority of American adults use the life-saving practice of designating a driver. The survey revealed that nearly two out of three adults — more than 137 million Americans — have been a designated driver or been driven home by one. Importantly, the benefits of designated drivers aren’t limited to keeping our roads safe; they also play a role in protecting the environment. More than 6.5 billion driving miles were saved by designated drivers*, based on responses when asked how many miles were saved on a typical trip.
“The poll reveals that using designated drivers is widely practiced by Americans, and with many adults attending holiday celebrations over the next couple weeks, now is the perfect time to take advantage of this lifesaving practice,” said Carol Clark, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. “In addition, as today’s adults are increasingly concerned with being socially responsible, carpooling with your designated driver has the added benefit of saving gas and helping the environment.”
Ninety-one percent of those surveyed agree that promoting the use of designated drivers is an excellent or good way to help reduce the problem of drunk driving. In addition, more than 61 percent of respondents agree that “conservation” is an added benefit of using a designated driver.
According to government statistics, total fatalities in drunk-driving crashes have declined 38 percent since 1982. While encouraged by progress like this, there still is work to be done, and Anheuser-Busch is dedicated to being part of the solution. The company and its wholesalers support numerous community-based drunk-driving prevention efforts, including safe-ride home programs, as well as television, radio, print, Internet and outdoor billboard advertisements.
“We encourage everyone to give the gift that has it all this holiday season — offer to be a designated driver or remind others to make a designated driver a part of their party plans now and throughout the year,” said Clark.
Since 1982, Anheuser-Busch and its nationwide network of 600 wholesalers have invested more than $750 million in national advertising campaigns and community-based programs to promote responsible drinking and prevent alcohol abuse, including drunk driving. In 2008, for the fifth year in a row, the company ranked first in the beverage industry for social responsibility in FORTUNE magazine’s “America’s Most Admired Companies” and “Global Most Admired Companies.” For more information on these efforts and the progress being made, visit www.beeresponsible.com.
About TNS/Survey Methodology: The project was conducted using the TNS Express Online tool. The survey was conducted with 1,003 respondents, 21 or older, over the weekend of September 5 – 7, 2008. The survey was conducted with the TNS 6th Dimension Panel, which is balanced to the U.S. Census population.
*Passenger miles saved (on a typical trip) for those who have ever been a DD (excluding the DD): average miles (18.4) x average # people (2.8) x DD population (126,598,973) = 6,522,379,063. Note average miles calculation based on designated driver miles only.
Members of the media can contact the Anheuser-Busch Corporate Social Responsibility Office via the Anheuser-Busch Customer Call Center.