NCJ Number
64556
Journal
CRIME AND/ET JUSTICE Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (1978) Pages: 264-272
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
A PILOT PROJECT OPERATING IN A PROVINCIAL TRAFFIC COURT IN CANADA IS DESCRIBED. IT PROVIDES JUDGES THE OPPORTUNITY OF CONSIDERING BEHAVIORAL ATTITUDES OF TRAFFIC OFFENDERS AND THE OPTION OF DIVERSION.
Abstract
A PROGRAM OBJECTIVE WAS TO PROVIDE AN INFORMAL APPROACH TO TRAFFIC OFFENDERS, ENCOURAGING THEM TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THEIR INFRACTION THROUGH DISCUSSION OF THEIR PAST AND FUTURE DRIVING HABITS. A DRIVING PROGRAM WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE COURT'S STRUCTURE, OFFENDERS TICKETED FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES COULD BE DIVERTED TO THE PROGRAM AT THEIR OWN OPTION. THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE WAS TO REMOVE ALL PROVINCIAL TRAFFIC OFFENSES FROM THE CRIMINAL COURT MILIEU, WHILE STILL TREATING TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS AS CRIMINAL. OFFENDERS SERVED WITH A SUMMARY CONVICTION TICKET MAY APPEAR BEFORE A HEARING OFFICER AND EXERCISE THE OPTION OF ATTENDING DRIVER IMPROVEMENT TRAINING PRIOR TO RECEIVING SENTENCE. AT THE HEARING, EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE OFFENDER'S EXPLANATION AND DISCUSSION OF HIS DRIVING HABITS WITH THE HEARING OFFICER. OPTING FOR THE DIVERSIONARY DRIVING TRAINING PROGRAM IS TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION AT THE SENTENCING STAGE. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF A 1-HOUR, ON-THE-SPOT SESSION DURING WHICH A FILM IS SHOWN DRAMATIZING THE CONSEQUENCES OF POOR DRIVING HABITS AND A LECTURE COVERS TRAFFIC LAWS AND REGULATIONS. THE PROGRAM IS INTENDED AS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE, NOT A PUNITIVE MEASURE, AND THE CONTENT OF THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO MAINTAIN NEUTRALITY OR MORAL ISSUES AND CONCENTRATE ON OBJECTIVE PRESENTATIONS OF DRIVING AS A TASK. THE PROGRAM IS CONDUCTED BY A NONOFFICER. THE PROGRAM'S INNOVATIVE FEATURE IS INCENTIVE, SINCE OFFENDERS CHOOSING TO ATTEND THE COURSE WILL NOT BE FINED. CHARTS AND FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (MRK)