Profile Analysis of Persons Arrested for Drunk Driving

• NCJ Number: 70244
• Journal: HUMAN FACTORS Volume: 18 Issue: 5 Dated: (October 1976) Pages: 455-463
• Author(s): J P Foley; M C Sharp
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 9 pages
• Contract Number(s): DOT-HS-077-1-100
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Admin; Kansas City Municipal Government
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The characteristics of persons arrested for drunk driving during 3 years in Kansas City, Mo., were analyzed to provide a profile of the drunk driver.

Abstract

Blood alcohol concentration (BAC), age, sex, race, and income level were identified for drivers judged culpable in alcohol-related fatal accidents, drivers found to be drunk according to voluntary and anonymous roadside surveys, drivers arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), and subgroups of DUI drivers determined by court disposition and sentencing alternatives. The results demonstrated that the driver profile was related to who was arrested for DUI, the disposition of that arrest, and the referral once the defendant had been found guilty. The profile of those arrested was different from that of the drunk drivers-at-risk (roadside surveys) or that of the culpable drivers in alcohol-related crashes. The typical person arrested for DUI was a middle-aged, white male with a BAC nearly twice the presumptive level. Young persons were underrepresented and nonwhites were overrepresented in DUI arrests. Older persons (who are more likely to have a drinking history) were more likely to be placed on probation and referred to a problem drinker driver (PDD) rehabilitation program. Those identified as incorrigible were jailed. Furthermore, nonwhites were more likely to plead guilty to DUI while whites engaged in plea bargaining, thus avoiding the DUI conviction. Nonwhites were also more likely to be placed in PDD rehabilitation, and whites were more likely to receive only a fine. Overall, the young drinking driver was found to be overrepresented in alcohol-related fatal crashes and underrepresented in arrests. New or revised programs need to be developed to prevent the involvement of young drunk drivers in fatal crashes. These programs can provide at least one tool among many with which drunk driver problems can be solved. Seven references and several graphs are provided. (Author abstract modified)