NCJ Number
20507
Journal
ZESZYTY NAUKOWE Issue: 2 Dated: (1975) Pages: 3-22
Date Published
1975
Length
20 pages
Annotation
RESEARCH ON THE SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PERSONS COMMITTING TRAFFIC OFFENSES IN POLAND.
Abstract
THE PREVAILING OPINION HAS BEEN THAT TRAFFIC OFFENSES ARE COMMITTED MAINLY BY PERSONS ENJOYING A HIGH MORAL AND SOCIAL STATUS. THE AUTHOR CHALLENGES THIS OPINION USING THE FILES OF 234 PEOPLE TRIED FOR TRAFFIC OFFENSES IN 6 COURTS BETWEEN 1971 AND 1973. THE FINDINGS SHOW THAT 97 PERCENT OF THE OFFENDERS WERE MALES. THE MAJORITY WERE 30 YEARS OF AGE OR UNDER, MARRIED, AND HAD AN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION. SOME 18.4 PERCENT HAD BEEN DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL AND 23 PERCENT HAD PREVIOUS CRIMINAL RECORDS (MOSTLY PETTY OFFENSES). IN THIS RESPECT, TRAFFIC OFFENDERS DID NOT DIFFER CONSIDERABLY FROM OTHER OFFENDERS. THE AUTHOR CONCLUDES THAT THE INDIVIDUALITY OF OFFENDERS PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE ETIOLOGY OF TRAFFIC OFFENSES. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) --IN POLISH...ELW