The Utah Highway Patrol has come up with an innovative way to dissuade drivers to cab home after having a drink rather than getting behind the wheel: Listening to convicted offenders breaking the news to family members. The new campaign, “Getting a DUI is easy, calling your mom from jail is hard,” relies on embarrassment as a deterrent.
The Highway Patrol set up an 800 number that people can call to listen to recordings of people calling home from the drunk tank at the local jail. According to the Deseret News, the hotline allows callers to “listen in” during a conversation with a hysterical mother or an upset, disappointed father.
While the caller has limited participation, it allows the opportunity for people to see how embarrassing it can be to get arrested for driving under the influence and how devastating it can be to others.
To listen in, call 1-877-JAIL-FON. The hotline will be open until September 7, 2009.