Field Evaluation of Jail Sanctions for DWI

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Tennessee's two-day mandatory jail sanction for first-offense DWI on general deterrence, special deterrence, and the operation of the drinking-driver control system. The authors' analysis of general deterrence analyzed accident data from Tennessee and two comparison states without mandatory jail penalties, Alabama and Kentucky, were used to provide quantitative measures of the highway safety effect. In addition, data were collected to determine driver awareness of the mandatory jail law, and whether the law has had any effect on self-reported drinking-driving behavior. The recidivism analysis examined the recidivism rates of Tennessee drivers convicted of DWI before and after the introduction of the mandatory jail law. The analysis of the effects of mandatory jail on the drinking-driver control system was accomplished through two case studies, one in Chattanooga and the other in Nashville. Recidivism analyses were also conducted in these two locations. The major finding of this study is that the jail sanction had an initial effect on drunk-driving recidivism in Tennessee, but no measurable effect on alcohol-related crashes. The authors recommend more testing of mandatory jail in Tennessee in conjunction with a large-scale and continuing program of public information and education. Only then can the general-deterrent effect, if any, be measured. Pending the outcome of these tests, the authors recommend that states exercise caution in adopting mandatory jail as a sanction for drunk driving.

• 
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/1510
• Corporate Authors:

  Mid America Research Institute Incorporated

  77 South Bedford Street, Suite 410
  Burlington, MA  United States  01803

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Jones, R K
  • Joksch, H C
  • Lacey, J H
  • Schmidt, H J
• Publication Date: 1988-4-29

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: 80p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Countermeasures; Crash data; Drunk drivers; Drunk driving; Field studies; Highway safety; Jails; Recidivism; Traffic crashes; Traffic safety
• Uncontrolled Terms: Deterrence; Mandatory
• Geographic Terms: Tennessee
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01082931
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-807 325
• Contract Numbers: DTNH22-85-C-07164
• Files: HSL, NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 21 2007 7:57AM