NCJ Number
58496
Date Published
1977
Length
60 pages
Annotation
THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF A NATIONAL COMMITTEE THAT STUDIED PROBLEMS FACED BY RURAL COURTS IN ADJUDICATING TRAFFIC CASES, PARTICULARLY THOSE INVOLVING DRUNK DRIVERS, ARE REPORTED.
Abstract
THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ALCOHOL AND ADJUDICATION OF THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY ADVISORY COMMITTEE VISITED RURAL COMMUNITIES IN FIVE STATES, REVIEWED ALCOHOL SAFETY ACTION PROGRAM (ASAP) EVALUATIONS, AND STUDIED PERTINENT POLICY ISSUES AND RESEARCH DATA. THE SUBCOMMITTEE'S REPORT COVERS THE NATURE OF THE TRAFFIC ADJUDICATION PROBLEM IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN 'RURAL' AND 'URBAN' (AS REFLECTED IN STATISTICS ON POPULATION TRENDS, ACCIDENTAL DEATHS, GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURES, ECONOMIC LOSSES ATTRIBUTABLE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, VEHICLES, AND DRIVERS), THE REALITIES OF RURAL JUSTICE (E.G., LACK OF LAWYERS, LIMITED RESOURCES FOR LAY JUDGES, LACK OF JAILS FOR SHORT-TERM SENTENCING, PROBLEMS WITH ERRATIC POPULATION 'INVASIONS,' LACK OF REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, NEED FOR 'ON-SITE, RIGHT NOW' JUSTICE IN TRAFFIC CASES, TENDENCY TOWARD DECENTRALIZATION AND INFORMALITY), NEUTRALIZATION OF LEGISLATIVELY MANDATED SANCTIONS FOR TRAFFIC OFFENSES BY THE DISCRETIONARY ACTIONS OF RURAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL, AND APPLICATION OF URBAN MODELS OF DRUNK-DRIVING CONTROL IN RURAL SETTINGS. THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION: (1) INCREASE THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION BUDGET; (2) IMPROVE INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION AND COORDINATION IN THE FIELD OF DRINKING AND DRIVING; (3) INTENSIFY EDUCATION ON DRINKING AND DRIVING; (4) CONTINUE THE ASAP AND EXPAND ITS CONCEPTS (IN MODIFIED FORM) TO RURAL AREAS; (5) STEP UP RESEARCH ON DRINKING AND DRIVING, PARTICULARLY ON ASSOCIATED ECONOMIC LOSSES; AND (6) RECOMMEND A WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON ALCOHOLISM AND ALCOHOL ABUSE. AN ESSAY ON HIGHWAY SAFETY ISSUES THROUGH 1997, EXCERPTS FROM A REPORT TO CONGRESS ON ALCOHOL AND HEALTH, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED.