NCJ Number
198491
Journal
Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Volume: 25 Issue: 4 Dated: 2002 Pages: 770-788
Editor(s)
Lawrence F. Travis III
Date Published
2002
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effects of different drunk driving enforcement strategies, mobile controls, sobriety checkpoints, and random-breath on the drivers’ perceptions of the probability of detection.
Abstract
Drunk driving enforcement entails a variety of measures that can include mobile police controls, sobriety checkpoints, and random-breath testing. Extensive enforcement measures are intended to raise the probability of detection. However, some enforcement strategies seem to be more efficient when compared to other strategies. This study explored the effects of different enforcement strategies on drivers’ perceptions of the probability of detection. The study consisted of 77 participants who experienced different control strategies in a game and then rated the probability of detection. The results indicated that few but efficient controls led to a higher probability of detection than many but inefficient controls. These results suggest that increasing efficiency will have a greater impact on deterring drunk driving than increasing the frequency of controls. An extensive table is presented summarizing the results of several studies from the 1980's and 1990's evaluating the effects of mobile controls, sobriety checkpoints, and random-breath testing on drunk driving. Tables, figures and references