NCJ Number
87058
Date Published
1982
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Following an examination of the extent of the drinking driver problem, the inadequacies of the judicial system in dealing with it are identified, and the characteristics of a coordinated program for processing drinking drivers are discussed.
Abstract
Over the past 10 years, the number of persons killed in motor vehicle accidents involving alcohol has averaged 25,000 per year. The core of the drunk driver problem in most States is not the lack of adequate laws but the absence of consistent, convincing enforcement of existing laws by State and local officials. Because the risk of punishment is low, the deterrent effect of the law is weak. As presently constituted, most State judicial systems cannot handle drunk driver cases in a swift, certain manner that communicates to the public that driving while intoxicated (DWI) is a serious offense. Although DWI cases are a large percentage of lower court dockets, most States have not coordinated the actions of the police, prosecutors, judges, licensing officials, and health officials to improve the processing of these cases. A coordinated program to deter DWI must (1) aim to deter the majority of drunk drivers who are never arrested; (2) generate citizen support to provide a political base for increased enforcement; (3) place responsibility for management with local officials; (4) coordinate all levels of enforcement, adjudication, and sanctioning so that the case processing system works quickly; (5) use fines, court costs, and treatment fees to defray the costs of the program; and (6) use education programs to change general public attitudes on drinking and driving. A starting point for any State is the establishment of a State task force to study the drunk driver problem.