NCJ Number
194818
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 50 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2002 Pages: 129-132
Date Published
2002
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article reviews the results of a survey on the reduction in driving under the influence (DUI) offenses throughout the United States through the aggressive enforcement of DUI laws and DUI law enforcement programs.
Abstract
In a recent U.S. survey of 43 reporting agencies, the reduction of driving under the influence (DUI) offenses was attributed to the increased enforcement of DUI laws and DUI enforcement programs. Law enforcement agencies’ aggressiveness in reducing the nationwide problem of DUI has been seen in the increased number of arrests or stability in arrest rates. DUI enforcement can be due to just the function of regular patrols or the instituting specific DUI enforcement programs comprised of roadblocks and media/public relations campaigns as the most common. However, roadblocks over the years have received adverse attention and publicity due to potential civil rights violations. Several State and local enforcement DUI programs are presented with both successes and failures acknowledged. State and local law enforcement agencies stress the need to educate citizens to the dangers of DUI and show how they can prevent DUI. It is also stressed that for DUI programs to be successful there is a need to allocate sufficient personnel to conduct enforcement which has posed problems for many agencies. Law enforcement agencies are growing more experienced in enforcing DUI laws but need to continue to push for more funding for DUI enforcement, assign additional personnel to high DUI areas, increase the frequency of their efforts, continue affiliations to groups like MADD and SADD, and create and support unique program efforts to reduce DUI offenses.