NCJ Number
89528
Date Published
1982
Length
67 pages
Annotation
The Massachusetts Task Force on Alcohol Abuse and Highway Safety offers recommendations to counter drunk driving through public education, increased detection and apprehension, license revocation, prison terms and fines, and appropriate rehabilitation services.
Abstract
The task force was charged with analyzing the statutes of Massachusetts and other jurisdictions relating to the dispositional options available to the court as well as administrative penalties for offenders who drive while under the influence of alcohol or are convicted of vehicular homicide; to study the statistics relating to the judicial response to drunk-driving cases; and to propose a coordinated executive, legislative, and judicial response to the problem. The overall aim in the court-related recommendations is justice and fairness in individual cases, with the proper mix of punishment, rehabilitation, and prevention of additional offenses. Sanctions and rehabilitation are incrementally increased according to whether it is the first, second, or third or more offense. Court-related recommendations are also in the areas of (1) operating a vehicle after license revocation or suspension, (2) administering the blood alcohol concentration level test, (3) the passenger's role, (4) return of operator's license, (4) places and terms of imprisonment, (5) distribution of fines, (6) victim services, and (7) caseflow management. Rehabilitation recommendations are specific to the first offender and to the second and multiple offender, and recommendations for improvement in education speak to the expansion of alcohol education resources in public schools and the community, the certification of educators, the certification of driver education instructors, driving licensure requirements, media campaign, and the dispensing of alcoholic beverages. Detailed recommendations are also provided in the areas of highway safety and law enforcement. Proposed legislative changes are appended, along with an outline for general alcohol abuse prevention education.