DRIVER LICENSE SUSPENSION ... A PAPER TIGER
THE VAST MAJORITY OF LAWS AGAINST HABITUAL TRAFFIC LAW VIOLATORS OR DRINKING DRIVERS ARE DIRECTED TOWARD PENALTIES IN THE FORM OF FINES AND SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF DRIVER LICENSES. HOWEVER, RESEARCH INDICATES THAT IN MANY CASES THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE DRIVING PRIVILEGE IS A MERE PAPER TRANSACTION; THE SUSPENDED OR REVOKED DRIVER CONTINUES TO DRIVE WITHOUT A LICENSE. THE FOLLOWING STUDIES ARE CITED: (1) IN A 1968 STUDY IN CALIFORNIA, OF 1,326 SUSPENDED AND REVOKED DRIVERS, 33% OF THE SUSPENDED AND 68% OF THE REVOKED DRIVERS CONTINUED TO DRIVE; (2) IN OREGON, 25% OF THOSE CONVICTED OF DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE HAD A SUSPENDED LICENSE OR NONE AT ALL; (3) IN MICHIGAN, FROM THE RESULTS OF A 'SPOT CHECK' IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 60,000 DRIVERS (ABOUT 1 1/2%) ARE DRIVING WITHOUT A VALID LICENSE; AND (4) A STUDY OF 72 DRIVERS RESPONSIBLE FOR FATAL ACCIDENTS INDICATED 3 HAD NO LICENSE AND 13 OTHERS HAD BEEN CITED AT LEAST ONCE FOR DRIVING WHILE LICENSES HAD BEEN REVOKED. A DISCUSSION IS PRESENTED OF WHERE THE FAULT LIES, WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, THE COURTS, MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINSTRATION, OR THE LAWS THEMSELVES. EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON THE DEARTH OF RESEARCH IN THIS FIELD TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO IT. NEW METHODS OF CONTROL SHOULD BE DEVISED AND MORE EFFICIENT APPLICATION OF LEGAL TOOLS IS VITALLY NEEDED.
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Supplemental Notes:
- Vol 37, No 2, PP 20-23, 1 PHOT
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Authors:
- Hricko, A R
- Publication Date: 1970-2
Media Info
- Serial:
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Driver licenses; Drunk driving; Fatalities; Law enforcement; Legal factors; Revocation; Suspensions; Traffic conviction; Traffic regulations
- Uncontrolled Terms: Convictions; Traffic laws; Violations
- Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00220757
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: May 19 1970 12:00AM