NCJ Number
74833
Date Published
1979
Length
60 pages
Annotation
A study of the impact of the Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) upon traffic safety in Oklahoma City from 1972 through 1976 emphasizes the selection criteria for presentence investigations and the subsequent effects of a rehabilitation assignment upon recidivism rates.
Abstract
An analysis of the enforcement activities of ASAP patrols shows that patrol units have made large gains in efficiency since 1972. Alcohol Traffic Safety Unit arrests per man-hour increased from .081 to .156 from 1974 to 1976. Adjudication activity and performance include number of persons processed through the court system, percent convictions, percent convicted as charged, acquittals, average time from arrest to dispostion, and average blood alcohol concentration of those convicted. The total number of drunk driving court dispositions decreased five percent from 1975 to 1976. A comparison of rehabilitation dropouts with nondropouts showed that recipients of more structured rehabilitation countermeasures appeared to have a lower dropout rate. No significant differences in drunk driving recidivism were found between individuals who received a presentence investigation and were either referred to rehabilitation or were administered punitive sanctions. Problem drinkers had a significantly greater propensity to recidiate than indeterminate or nonproblem drinkers. The group of drunk driving recidivists tended to be older, male, had a disproportionately high number of persons classified as laborers, and had more separated or divorced persons. The substantial costs incurred in an ASAP program due to increased enforcement manpower are indicated by the average cost in Oklahoma City of $159 per case in 1976. Presentence investigations, rehabilitation referrals, and probation added an additional $118. NTIS abstract modified. Thirty-six data tables and four figures are provided.