MODEL ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM AGAINST SUSPENDED/REVOKED DRIVERS

This model program is based upon information obtained during a review of operational programs in Florida, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Virginia. The program is based on the principle that comprehensive programs are more effective than the sum of their respective parts. If all elements of the system are functioning properly, a reasonable percentage of suspended/revoked drivers who continue to drive will be detected and apprehended. A model enforcement program against suspended/revoked drivers requires a high level of coordination among the police, the courts, and the State driver licensing agency, supported by a controlled and audited Statewide Uniform Traffic Ticket system and real-time on-line communications among each of the three described functions. The model program developed under contract for NHTSA, or any enforcement program against these problem drivers, requires detection followed by prosecution and adjudication. There are three potential discovery points in the detection of these violators. First, is at the time the officer contacts the driver; second, is when the court complaint is filed; and third, is in the driver record agency when either an advance copy of the citation or a record of conviction is received. If the police officer does his job correctly he will check the driver's licensing status at the time he or she is stopped and discovery will be made at once. If the officer fails to do this, an on-line terminal in the clerk of court's office to the driver records agency enables a status or record check on each defendant and discovery may be made at the time the defendant appears in court. Finally, if not discovered before, the violation may be detected by the records bureau when conviction records on the original charge are received. From the foregoing it seems plain that the point to detect the violation is by the officer when contact is first made. The use of hand held or lapel microphones by traffic officers encourages license status checks, if the officer has received training in the importance of this effort.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1984-2

Media Info

• Pagination: 13 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Detection and identification; Detectors; Driver licenses; Driving without a license; Suspensions; Traffic law enforcement; Traffic violators
• Uncontrolled Terms: Driver license suspension
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00389478
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-806 515
• Files: HSL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 30 1984 12:00AM