The “Ask yourself why” communication campaign was launched by the Department for Information and Publishing of the Presidency of the Council in collaboration with the Anti-Drug Department and the Ministry of the Interior to raise awareness among young people on the issue of road accidents, specifically those related to driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The campaign was carried out from 25th December 2022 to 16th January 2023 on various media platforms such as Rai networks (TV and radio spots), local radio, the web and social media.

The primary objective of the campaign was to raise awareness among the general population and, in particular, young people on the tragic phenomenon of alcohol and drug-related road accidents. The campaign emphasized the need for people to refrain from taking alcohol and any narcotic substance before driving. The spot was designed to target young people, families and institutions that play an active role in the orientation of children.

According to Istat data, road accidents are the leading cause of death for young people aged 15 to 24, with over 6,500 accidents caused each year by alcohol and drugs. The campaign aimed to encourage reflection among the public, particularly children, on why there are still so many road accidents despite the knowledge that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can be dangerous to oneself and others. The campaign emphasized the need to adopt prudent behavior before getting behind the wheel, as more than 90% of all road accidents could be avoided by doing so.

Overall, the “Ask yourself why” campaign was a significant step in raising awareness among young people and the general public on the importance of avoiding alcohol and drug consumption before driving. The campaign aimed to reduce the number of accidents caused by impaired driving and promote safe behavior on the roads.

Source: Dipartimento Politiche Antidroga (Italy, January 2023)