NCJ Number
112677
Journal
Accident Analysis and Prevention Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Dated: (1988) Pages: 9-17
Date Published
1988
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study evaluates the deterrent impact of Ontario's (Canada) 12-hour license-suspension law, which is intended to mete out swift punishment for drunk drivers.
Abstract
The Ontario law, which was introduced December 17, 1981, gives police authority to conduct random spot-checks to detect drunk driving and to suspend a driver's license for 12 hours if he/she registers .05 or more on a roadside screening device or evidentiary breath tester. This study analyzed coroners' fatality data for January 1, 1979 to December 31, 1982. This data set contains a record of each traffic fatality victim in Canada, including information such as when and where the crash occurred, the victim's age and sex, whether the victim was the driver, and the victim's blood alcohol content (when available). The analysis considered victims over 16 who were driving a car, bus, moped, motorcycle, truck, van, or tractor-trailer, and whose death occurred within 6 hours of the reported crash time. Telephone and household surveys were conducted to assess attitudes, knowledge of drinking and driving, risk perception of getting caught, and awareness of the new law. A police survey reviewed the law enforcement function relating to drunk driving. the analysis of traffic fatalities indicates a small, short-term effect after the law's enactment. The survey results suggest that laws to increase the celerity and certainty of punishment will have little deterrent impact without enforcement and publicity. 3 figures, 18 references.