NCJ Number
68273
Date Published
1975
Length
680 pages
Annotation
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TECHNIQUES USED TO RECORD INFORMATION ON DRINKING DRIVERS APPREHENDED IN POLICE ALCOHOL SAFETY ACTION PROJECTS (ASAPS) WAS STUDIED.
Abstract
BECAUSE DRUNK DRIVING IS THE GREATEST MENACE TO HIGHWAY SAFETY, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION FUNDED 35 STATE ASAP'S IN WHICH LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES USED WRITTEN REPORTS, VIDEOTAPE RECORDINGS, AND AUDIO TAPE RECORDERS TO HELP PROSECUTE DRINKING DRIVERS. THE PROJECTS AIMED TO REDUCE ACCIDENTS AND DETER DRIVERS FROM DRINKING. RESEARCHERS VISITED 22 PROJECT SITES TO WITNESS ARRESTS, INTERVIEW POLICE OFFICERS, AND GATHER DATA BY MEANS OF A FIELD SURVEY INSTRUMENT. THE RESULTS SHOWED THAT MANY DIFFERENT FORMS WERE USED, THAT IMPROPER TRAINING IN THE USE OF VIDEOTAPE RECORDERS LED TO THE PRODUCTION OF TAPES OF INSUFFICIENT QUALITY FOR COURT PROCEEDINGS, AND THAT PORTABLE CASSETTE RECORDERS WERE ESPECIALLY EFFECTIVE IN PROVIDING COURT EVIDENCE. THEREFORE, THE STUDY RECOMMENDED (1) THAT ALL FORMS SHOULD BE REVIEWED IN ORDER TO PRODUCE A STANDARD, ALL-INCLUSIVE REPORT FORMAT FOR DRUNKEN DRIVING OFFENSES IN EVERY STATE, (2) THAT FEDERAL FUNDING OF VIDEOTAPING SHOULD BE SUSPENDED, AND (3) THAT THE FURTHER USE OF PORTABLE AUDIO TAPE RECORDERS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED. INDIVIDUAL REPORTS INCLUDING COPIES OF POLICE FORMS CURRENTLY USED ARE PRESENTED FOR EACH PROJECT SITE VISITED.