REVIEW OF THE PROBLEM OF TRAFFIC FATALITIES CORRELATED WITH DRINKING DRIVERS ON NEW MEXICO HIGHWAYS

• NCJ Number: 44191
• Author(s): J FORAKER-THOMPSON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 12 pages
• Corporate Author: New Mexico State Police
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

RESEARCH INDICATES THAT ALCOHOL IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT FACTOR LEADING TO FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS; A DISCUSSION OF THE PROBLEM INCLUDES SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF ALCOHOL-RELATED TRAFFIC FATALITIES.

Abstract

NEW MEXICO HAS THE SECOND HIGHEST RATE OF FATAL ACCIDENTS IN THE NATION AS WELL AS AN EXTREMELY HIGH RATE OF DEATHS BY CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER IN ALL AGE RANGES. TWO BASIC TYPES OF DRINKING DRIVERS LIKELY TO BE ARRESTED ON A DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED (D.W.I) CHARGE ARE IDENTIFIED: THE SOCIAL DRINKER AND THE ALCOHOLIC OR PROBLEM DRINKER. THESE TWO TYPES OF DRIVERS PRESENT DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT KINDS OF CASE HISTORIES AND DIFFERENT CHALLENGES TO THE ARRESTING AND TREATING AGENCIES. THE SOCIAL DRINKER IS MORE AMENABLE TO TREATMENT. EARLY INTERVENTION EFFORTS IN THE FORM OF COMMUNITY-BASED ALCOHOL TREATMENT PROGRAMS ARE MORE APT TO SHOW QUICKER AND MORE DRAMATIC RESULTS WITH SOCIAL DRINKERS. FOR THIS GROUP, A COMBINATION OF THE SANCTION OF D.W.I. ARREST, FINE, RESTRICTIONS ON DRIVERS LICENSE IF ANY, AND MINIMAL TREATMENT AND/OR ALCOHOL REDUCTION PROGRAM MAY BE SUFFICIENT TO INTERVENE. THE ALCOHOLIC OR PROBLEM DRINKER PRESENTS MORE OF A HARD-CORE PROBLEM. FEDERALLY FUNDED COMMUNITY-LEVEL ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT PROGRAMS FOR THE PROBLEM DRINKER ARRESTED FOR D.W.I., WITH EMPHASIS ON OUTPATIENT TREATMENT, HAVE BEEN INITIATED. IT IS NOTED THAT A MULTIFACETED ALCOHOL COUNTERMEASURE PROGRAM IS NEEDED TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AND SERIOUS INJURIES CAUSED BY ALCOHOL-RELATED ACCIDENTS. COOPERATION BETWEEN AGENCIES AND JURISDICTIONS IN DEVELOPING A COMPREHENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE PROGRAM IS INDICATED. SUCH PROGRAMS WOULD REQUIRE ENABLING LEGISLATION PASSED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND WOULD ENTAIL MASSIVE DRIVER EDUCATION FOR ALL NEW DRIVERS, GREATER EMPHASIS BY STATE AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN MAKING D.W.I. ARRESTS, GREATER COOPERATION BY PROSECUTORS AND COURTS IN SEEING THAT PENALTIES ARE APPLIED, AND PROVISION OF ALCOHOLISM EDUCATION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN EVERY AREA OF THE STATE WHERE A SERIOUS NEED IS INDICATED. SUPPORTING TABLES ARE APPENDED.