This film (a kinescope of a live television show — in other words a film shot from a video display) was created as a tool for driver’s education classes and focuses on the dangers of drinking and driving. Harry Hannum is the instructor on the film (:08) opening with blurry footage used to represent how the world might look through an intoxicated person’s eyes (:20). The specific areas affected by alcohol in relation to driving skills are highlighted (1:04). A man called John sips a few sips while relaxing at home (2:10). An experiment shows how alcohol enters the system causing disruption of normal functions even after ‘just a few’ (2:22). Social drinking is addressed (4:26). Vision is shown to be blurred from behind the wheel of a driver under the influence (6:10). Narrowed vision is also a result of alcohol (6:20). The film then compares the various levels of intoxication (7:43). It is then shown 54% of fatal accidents involved drinking and driving (8:59). A Toronto study reveals heavy drinking and driving results in a 10% increase in accidents (9:50). Various photographs dictate the differences in state penalties for drinking and driving (10:59). Whether or not a jury is included in the trail affects the conviction as the defendants are generally sober for the hearing (12:13). Chemical tests were introduced in order to aide in convictions (12:48). An early breathalyzer developed by Professor Robert F. Borkenstein is shown (13:02). The Implied Consent Law is broken down (16:42). The best methods with which to combat drinking and driving are noted (17:39). Two studies from Detroit, Michigan are shown in comparison with a 92% reduction in drinking and driving from 1941 (18:22) to 1946 (19:11) after the city applied educational posters throughout the city. Underage drinking is generally caused by peer pressure (19:53). Prescription medications can also lead to impaired driving ability (21:34) as a warning on a prescription bottle is zoomed in on (22:18). 50% of fatal accidents involve some form of drinking (24:21). A newspaper clipping of a drinking and driving accident which resulted in the death of seven reveals the intoxicated driver had been let go on a speeding ticket just prior to the accident (24:46). This film was produced by Cincinnati Public Schools and Station WCET (26:07) for the National Education TV and Radio Center (26:13). It was produced with the counsel of an advisory committee of the National Commission of Safety Education (26:25).
Harry Mack Hannum, was the host of a driver’s education series on PBS and principal of Woodward High School in Cincinnati.
Robert Frank Borkenstein was an American inventor, researcher, and professor, and is known as the inventor of the Breathalyzer.
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