NCJ Number
118742
Date Published
1989
Length
79 pages
Annotation
A research project was initiated in California to examine the development and implementation of a driving under the influence (DUI) program by municipal police departments.
Abstract
The research group identified the following trends relative to the DUI issue: emerging citizen activist groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving; the high level of media attention on DUI offenses; increasing DUI legislation and funding; jail overcrowding; and heightened health awareness about alcohol. The group next considered specific events that might impact the DUI issue, such as mandatory alcohol education in elementary and secondary schools, mandated jail space for DUI offenders, automatic pretrial license suspension legislation, enactment of an alcohol beverage tax law, and mandated DUI checkpoints. Recommendations were then developed for a municipal DUI program: establish annual DUI enforcement goals for police departments; designate DUI enforcement units from within uniformed field officers; encourage the passage of an alcoholic beverage tax with revenues dedicated to DUI enforcement; establish DUI checkpoint operations directives; establish DUI prevention and intervention programs (decoy, designated driver, and dial-a-ride); provide for DUI public information; and establish a juvenile alcohol awareness program. Procedures to follow in implementing a DUI program are outlined, with two key program components identified as defining a police department DUI enforcement goal and achieving it using weekly DUI checkpoints and establishing an elementary and secondary school alcohol education program aimed at the social deterrence of DUI. Appendixes contain supplemental information on the research project. 10 references, 20 tables.