NCJ Number
77128
Date Published
1980
Length
81 pages
Annotation
This document presents the final report and evaluation of the Simi Valley (Calif.) police department's effort aimed at identifying, arresting, and prosecuting drivers found to be under the influence of alcohol.
Abstract
During the 2-year Driving Under the Influence Team (DUIT) project there were a total of 1,393 driving under the influence (DUI) arrests. The average blood alcohol level of those arrested was reduced to .157. Overall the project experienced a 96 percent conviction rate. However, the total number of accidents for 1978 increased by approximately 22 percent from 1977. The personal injury accidents increased from 396 during the base calendar year 1977 to 416 during 1978 and 427 during 1979. When compared to the total number of accidents, personal injury accidents and 31 percent for 1978 and 1979. Conversely, personal injury accidents accounted for 43 percent of the total accidents during 1977. Of those injuries reported in 1978 and 1979, there was a 25 percent reduction in those that required hospitalization. Fatals increased from seven during 1977 to nine during 1978; yet there were only four fatal accidents during 1979. Overall, the use of the video equipment in an effort to increase the quality of DUI arrests and improve conviction rates was not considered cost effective. It was used sparingly in court for prosecution purposes and only on three occasions did a defendant or an attorney review the tape made of the arrest prior to the trial. The DUIT officers, initially received 80 hours of related training. They in turn provided role call training for field officers. In addition to their enforcement activity, the DUIT officers also served as instructors or guest speakers at governmental organizations to enhance public awareness of the driving under the influence problem. The project will be incorporated within the department's traffic unit, and all the officers will be rotated through the DUIT program for a period of 4 to 6 months. In addition, officers assigned to the DUIT program will assume responsibility for regular traffic duties when traffic officers are unavailable. Tabular data, forms, and newspaper clippings are included. (Author abstract modified)