Drug-Impaired Driving Prevention
SAFE receives grant funding from the Virginia DMV Highway Safety Office to reduce impaired driving crashes among 16-25 year olds in Chesterfield County. According to the VA Dept Motor Vehicles (DMV), Chesterfield County had 332 alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2021, 329 in 2022, and 356 in 2023. Of these alcohol-related crashes, the following involved 16-25 year olds: 110 (33%) in 2021, 131 (40%) in 2022 and 111 (31%) in 2023.
Drug Impaired Driving Work Group (DID)
The DID Work Group of SAFE is making a difference in Chesterfield County by educating their peers and adults in our communities about the risks of drug and alcohol related driving.
If you are not yet a member of SAFE’s DID Work Group and would like to be, please call or text 804-930-4713 or email messer@chesterfieldsafe.org.
New DID Education Resources
SAFE conducted a focus group with Chesterfield students to gain insight on behaviors and perspectives of impaired driving in Chesterfield County. In partnership with a graphic designer, two new originally designed brochures were created to educate Chesterfield youth and parents on the dangers, consequences, and prevalence of alcohol and drug impaired driving. Check out the new brochures below, and reach out to us if you are interested in obtaining copies.
SAFE DID Brochure (2023)
SAFE DID Local Data Brochure (2023)
SAFE DID Cannabis Brochure (2025)
New Media Campaign
From 2023-2024, SAFE worked with Mnemonics to create two new PSA campaigns. The first is entitled, “Unboxing the Hard Facts”, focusing on educating young adults under 21 about the Zero Tolerance Law. The second campaign is entitled, “Sober Media”, depicting a safe choice of choosing to not drive under the influence. The 2024-2025 DMV grant cycle is SAFE’s first year running these PSA campaigns.
Unboxing the Hard Facts PSA Campaign
Sober Media PSA Campaign
Local DUI Data
SAFE partnered with the Chesterfield County Police Department (CCPD) to analyze local drug-impaired driving arrest data. Between October 1, 2023 and September 30, 2024, CCPD recorded 1,121 DUI arrests across all ages, with the highest monthly totals in May, October, and September.
During the same period, 229 DUI arrests involved individuals ages 16–25, with arrests peaking in September, May, and January. Overall, arrests among this age group declined by more than 50% for both females and males. Notably, the data also show substantial reductions among White youth ages 16–25, including a 42.7% decrease among males and a 78.4% decrease among females.
“Before You Take It To-Go, Here Are Some Things You Should Know” Brochure
SAFE partners with the Chesterfield County Police Department each year to implement the Establishment Brochure Initiative. Through this effort, local restaurants include an alcohol-impaired driving prevention brochure—“Before You Take It To-Go, Here Are Some Things You Should Know”—with take-out orders. Available in both English and Spanish, the brochure outlines alcohol-impaired driving laws and the potential consequences of driving while impaired.
In 2024, 100 English-language establishments participated, distributing 10,000 brochures. An additional 30 Spanish-speaking establishments took part, distributing 6,000 brochures.
EBI Brochure (English)
Impaired Driving at a Glance
Virginia DMV data show Chesterfield County had 332 alcohol-impaired crashes in 2021, 329 in 2022, and 356 in 2023. Drivers ages 16–25 were involved in roughly one-third of these crashes each year.
CCPD data indicate DUI arrests across all ages declined from 1,338 in 2022 to 1,085 in 2023 and 850 in 2024. Young adults ages 16–25 accounted for about one-fifth to nearly one-quarter of those arrests annually. Additionally, 15–19% of DUI arrests each year involved drivers who admitted to drug use.
Resources
Designate Before You Celebrate
Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program
Students Against Drunk Driving
Virginia Cannabis Control Authority
Youth of Virginia Speak Out About Traffic Safety
Virginia Driver Education and Traffic Safety
Partners for Safe Teen Driving
Previously Aired PSA Campaign
In 2022, SAFE held a focus group with males ages 16–29 who had lived experience with substance misuse. Their input informed the development of the “Lose” public service announcement focused on preventing drug-impaired driving and substance use. Created in partnership with GMMB, the PSA was produced in English and Spanish in 15- and 30-second versions. The 2023–2024 DMV grant cycle marked SAFE’s second year running this campaign. The PSA can be viewed below.