NCJ Number
108747
Date Published
1987
Length
147 pages
Annotation
Based on a review of international studies of traffic law enforcement measures, this report suggests measures most likely to be effective in Australia, particularly in deterring drunk driving.
Abstract
New South Wales' experience with random breath testing (RBT) indicates that this can deter drunk driving when it is intensive (one out of three drivers), sustained, and accompanied by a massive media campaign. Recent overseas experiences provide no evidence of permanent reductions in alcohol-related fatalities or injuries due to legislative or police enforcement measures. Nonlegal interventions, however, such as informal police warnings, written warnings, interviews with errant drivers, and driver improvement programs, have been cost-effective. Manipulations of the physical and social environment have also been effective, including the regulation of alcohol outlets, increases in the prices of alcoholic beverages, higher minimum drinking ages, and the curtailment of advertising of alcoholic beverages. Server intervention programs that encourage food-and-drink establishments to curtail excessive customer drinking can be implemented through licensing laws. The targeting of youthful drivers is important because of their disproportionate involvement in traffic accidents. Measures might include an age-related curfew during the first year of driving and a higher minimum drinking age. 182-item bibliography.