Prediction of Drunken Driving Offenses (From Criminal Behavior and the Justice System: Psychological Perspectives, P 53-69, 1989, Hermann Wegener, et al, eds. -- See NCJ-116624)

• NCJ Number: 116627
• Author(s): E Stephan
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: Springer-Verlag
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Data on drunk driving offenders in the Federal Republic of Germany indicate that these offenders tend to be permanent abusers of alcohol who not only have abnormal drinking habits but also violate the law frequently.

Abstract

Drunk driving offenders can lose their licenses temporarily; The court and traffic authorities can ask for a report from a psychological expert in deciding the period for which to suspend the license. Epidemiological data show that at least 5 percent of the male population older than 14 years suffers from alcohol abuse and that most of those ages 20-50 consume alcohol mainly outside their homes, necessitating driving after excessive consumption. However, heavy drinkers tend most to underestimate the danger to traffic safety resulting from the consumption of alcohol. Nevertheless, questionnaire and interview data show that neither drunk drivers nor society believe that a drunk driving offense indicates alcohol abuse. Thus, drunk drivers see no reason to change their drinking habits. 49 references.