Drunk driving is a major public health problem and young people suffer disproportionately high rates of morbidity and mortality as a result of drinking and driving. Motor vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death for persons aged 15-24 in this country, and alcohol is implicated in many of these deaths. Countermeasures to drinking and driving may be viewed in terms of both individual and societal responsibilities. Individual measures include efforts aimed at increasing apprehension, certainty and severity of sanctions, and education and rehabilitation. Societal countermeasures include reduced alcohol availability, modification of tax policies affecting the price of alcohol, increased regulation of alcohol advertising, modification of media program content in relation to alcohol, improved highway design, and increased vehicle crashworthiness. Several special factors affect drinking and driving in young people. They are less experienced drivers, they have the money to spend on alcohol, and they are influenced by both peer pressure and role models who drink. Until we recognize and deal with some of the sources of the drinking and driving problems of youth, drunk driving will continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in young people. (NRB)