Community Action to Reduce Rural Drink and Drive Crashes in New Zealand: Adapting Approaches in Dynamic Environments

This paper discusses the evolution of a two-and-a-half year pilot community action project aimed at developing strategies to reduce alcohol-use-related crashes in a rural police district in New Zealand. Formative evaluation aimed to assist an intersectoral coordinating group identify and implement strategies. Initially the idea was to establish community-based committees to mobilize on drinking and driving around the district. However, it became clear that the original concept impeded action. The focus was changed to provide more support to strengthen existing initiatives, particularly those relating to police traffic enforcement and drinking environments. This helped give the project renewed life and direction. The paper focuses on process, organizational, and external community issues affecting the project and the use of formative evaluation to assist the project to respond and adapt to dynamic circumstances.