NCJ Number
140671
Date Published
1991
Length
45 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes a study of the long-term experience of six law enforcement agencies with enforcement programs coupled with public information and education designed to deter drunk driving.
Abstract
The six communities had implemented drunk-driving enforcement programs coupled with public information and education in the late 1970's or early 1980's and had been deemed successful by their State highway safety offices. The communities were Redondo Beach, Calif.; Fort Collins, Col.; Wichita, Kan.; Omaha, Neb.; Lexington, Ky.; and Clearwater, Fla. In each community drunk-driving enforcement activity increased significantly with the advent of the specially funded program. In three sites arrests went down after funding ceased, but remained well above pre-program levels; in one site arrest volume regressed to below pre-program levels. Two sites sought and received additional enforcement funding and were able to maintain a high arrest rate. The public information and education efforts tended to cease when funding terminated. This is attributed to the increasing volume of work in the face of stable staffing levels, changing command emphasis in response to constituent demands in other areas, and officer burnout. This report recommends that funding agencies consider the incorporation of steps to garner community support in initial seed grants, and State and local governments should seek mechanisms to identify new funds to support drunk-driving enforcement through earmarked taxes and assessments on drunk-driving offenders. 13 figures and 1 table