NCJ Number
132010
Journal
Alcohol, Drugs and Driving Volume: 6 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (July-December 1990) Pages: 189-197
Date Published
1990
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Relationships between sentences (license suspension, fine, jail term, assignment to probation, or temporary absence programs) and post-adjudication drinking-driving convictions for alcohol-related and total collisions were examined for 2,739 Ontario residents; both demographic and previous driving record factors were statistically controlled.
Abstract
The data indicate that license suspensions were associated with reduced total and alcohol-related collisions for first and multiple offenders and reduced drinking-driving charges for first offenders in the 3 years following court appearance and suggest that more severe sentences in terms of longer license suspensions are associated with traffic safety benefits. Higher fines for first offenders, more days in jail, and no placement in a temporary absence program for multiple offenders were associated with more collisions and convictions and suggest that less severe sentences for these sanctions are associated with traffic safety benefits. The findings provide clear support for the traffic safety benefits of license suspensions for convicted drinking drivers and demonstrate important differences between first offenders and multiple offenders in terms of factors predicting further traffic safety problems. 5 tables and 17 references (Author abstract modified)