NCJ Number
155189
Date Published
1988
Length
125 pages
Annotation
This hearing transcript presents witnesses' testimony on S.2367 and S.2523, bills designed to encourage States to establish measures for more effective enforcement of laws to prevent drunk driving.
Abstract
S.2367 offers incentives to States to enact recommended drunk-driver laws through new Federal-aid highway grants; S.2523 calls for withholding Federal-aid highway funds if such laws are not passed. S.2367 requires a State to enact laws that would expedite driver's license suspension or revocation under specified conditions, mandatory blood alcohol content testing when there is probable cause to believe a driver has committed an alcohol-related traffic offense, and an effective system for preventing drivers under age 21 from obtaining alcoholic beverages. S.2523 requires States to promptly suspend or revoke the license of a driver found to be driving under the influence of alcohol and for other purposes. Witnesses at the hearing include traffic safety experts from Federal and State governments, law enforcement agencies, and other experts in the field of highway safety, and individuals who have been directly affected by the actions of drunk drivers. A representative of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration testifies that his agency does not support either bill, primarily because existing Federal legislation is sufficient to move the States toward effective drunk-driving law enforcement. Other witnesses support S.2367 based on its strategy of using incentives to promote effective State drunk-driving legislation, but oppose S.2523 based on its use of sanctions, i.e., the withholding of highway funds for States that do not comply. The concept of requiring the rapid suspension or revocation of the drivers license of drunk drivers is generally supported by the witnesses, although there is some disagreement about time frames and procedures for implementing this policy. Copies of the two bills are included.