NCJ Number
104350
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1987) Pages: 17-33
Date Published
1987
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Following a review of constitutional issues related to roadside breathalyzer screening of alcohol-impaired drivers in Canada, a review is provided of research into the efficacy of such screening.
Abstract
Because decisions in Canadian courts have focused on the use of roadside screening and testing devices as an investigative tool, the efficacy of such screening has become a particularly salient issue. Research has shown that alternate approaches involving education and rehabilitation have had very limited success in reducing alcohol-related accidents. Studies of the use of roadside screening devices indicate that, in jurisdictions using such devices, police greatly increased detection of alcohol-impaired drivers, the number of mistaken apprehensions decreased, arrests increased, and mean blood alcohol content of tested drivers decreased. Thus, insofar as roadside screening increases the certainty of detection, arrest, and penalty, it serves as an effective deterrent. Its continued use in the enforcement of drunk driving laws should be encouraged. 26 references.