Using a mobile app to help young adults avoid driving under the influence of substances
Official title: Evaluation of an Interactive Mobile Phone-Based Brief Intervention to Reduce Substance-Impaired Driving among Emerging Adults
Funded at Western Kentucky University · NIH-10358917 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a mobile phone program can help young adults aged 18-25 who have driven after using alcohol or cannabis to drive more safely by either getting personalized feedback or interactive text messages, to see if it can really cut down on driving under the influence over the next few months.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Western Kentucky University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bowling Green, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $417,056 |
| NIH project number | 1R15DA051833-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10358917 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are emerging adults aged 18-25 who have reported driving after using cannabis or alcohol at least three times in the past three months.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not engage in substance use or have not driven under the influence in the past three months may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of a mobile phone-based intervention designed to reduce substance-impaired driving among young adults aged 18-25. Participants who have recently driven after using cannabis or alcohol will be randomly assigned to receive either personalized feedback or an enhanced intervention that includes interactive text messaging. The study aims to evaluate whether this mobile-based approach can significantly decrease the incidence of driving after substance use over a follow-up period of three to six months. By utilizing technology, the research seeks to engage young adults in a way that resonates with their daily lives and behaviors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a significant reduction in substance-impaired driving incidents among young adults, ultimately saving lives and reducing traffic accidents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that brief interventions can effectively reduce substance use among young adults, suggesting that this mobile-based approach may also be successful.
Where this research is happening
-
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Teeters, Jenni — Western Kentucky University
- Study coordinator: Teeters, Jenni
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.