NCJ Number
96210
Date Published
1984
Length
32 pages
Annotation
Mayor Schaefer's Drunk Driving Task Force of Baltimore concludes that combating drunk driving should remain a city priority and that antidrunk driving initiatives should be instituted.
Abstract
Additionally, the establishment of a Drunk Driving Motoring Committee is recommended. Heightened community awareness of the problem of drinking and driving should be a goal of the media, and public information officers should develop Baltimore's public information campaigns. The media should also publicize the importance of using seat belts and child restraint devices. The implementation of a 'call-a-friend' or 'phone home' program is recommended, as are special programs for youths. For example, the school system should train teachers so that drunk driving can be addressed in the classroom, and educators should involve parents and Parent Teacher Associations in students' drunk driving education. Actions that should be taken by State and local representatives include sponsoring or supporting legislation to mandate incarceration and/or community service for second offender violators and authorizing judges to suspend or revoke the licenses of drunk drivers. Citizens should lobby for procedures to suspend the license of any driver who refuses to take a chemical test for alcohol and for the elimination of special restricted drivers' licenses. Finally, the city should deal directly with the Federal or Maryland Department of Transportation to obtain Baltimore's fair share of Highway Safety Funds for drunk driving programming. A total of 37 recommendations are presented. Data on alcohol-related accidents and 12 references are appended.