While factual information provided through media public service announcement campaigns, educational interventions, etc., has been found to increase youths' knowledge about drinking and driving, it has not substantially affected actual drinking and driving behavior. In addition, some experts argue that when information about alcohol or drugs is provided by itself it increases curiosity, leading to experimentation with the substance. Also, the effect of these techniques may be diminished by teens' belief in their own invulnerability. When facts are provided in prevention campaigns it is important that the information is correct. Past anti-drug campaigns have found that when the harmful effects of a drug were exaggerated, youths tended to distrust and dismiss most of the message.
Attitude change is a vital component in influencing anti-drinking and driving behavior.
Education-based prevention campaigns that have been found to be successful have focused the information in a way which encourages youth to change their attitudes toward drinking and driving and toward riding with an impaired driver. This has been accomplished by having the youths themselves become actively involved in prevention activities in their schools and communities so they develop a sense of ownership about the issue, teaching and role playing the skills necessary to resist peer pressure, and teaching how to successfully intervene with a friend who has been drinking too much to drive safely. The provision of these skills appears to increase the willingness of youth to intervene with peers in drinking and driving situations, along with the frequency with which these interventions occur. The use of designated drivers has been advocated as an additional strategy to prevent drinking and driving. A recent study of the use of designated drivers among college students suggests that they may use this strategy at high rates.