<P> The concept was imported to the United States on a large scale in 1988 through the Harvard Alcohol Project , an initiative by the Harvard School of Public Health 's Center for Health Communication , led by Jay Winsten . With heavy involvement by television networks and Hollywood studios , the campaign popularized the concept through public service announcements , as well as the encouragement of drunk driving prevention messages and designated driver references in popular television programs , such as Cheers , L.A. Law , and The Cosby Show . The U.S. Department of Transportation used public affairs commercials with the phrase `` friends do n't let friends drive drunk '' . </P>
the famous slogan developed by the us department of transportation for designated drivers is
friends do n't let friends drive drunk