THE ALCOHOL-HIGHWAY SAFETY COUNTERMEASURES PROGRAM: A PANACEA OR PANDORA'S BOX
THE TRADITIONAL MEANS OF DEALING WITH THE DRINKING DRIVER HAS BEEN TO INCREASE PUNITIVE MEASURES AGAINST HIM. HOWEVER, A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF THESE DRIVERS ARE ALCOHOLICS, AND CANNOT RESPOND TO SUCH TREATMENTS. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO REHABILITATING DRIVERS CONVICTED OF ALCOHOL-RELATED TRAFFIC OFFENSES ARE SET FORTH. MORE INFORMATION IS NEEDED ON THE ALCOHOL-TRAFFIC ACCIDENT PROBLEM, THE ALCOHOLISM TREATMENT FIELD, AND THEIR RELATION TO EACH OTHER. IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO DEVELOPMENT OF DIAGNOSTIC, SCREENING, AND TREATMENT FACILITIES CAPABLE OF HANDLING LARGE NUMBERS OF CASES. POLICE, PROSECUTER, COURT AND PROBATION OFFICE STAFFS SHOULD BE INCREASED TO AID ENFORCEMENT AND ADJUDICATION OF DRINKING-DRIVING LAWS. THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL HANDLING OF ALCOHOL INVOLVED TRAFFIC CASES MIGHT BE EXPLORED. ANY REHABILITATION PROGRAM SHOULD BE MANDATORY, NOT VOLUNTARY. POLICE RECORDS SHOULD BE KEPT IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY PRESENT AND POTENTIAL PROBLEM DRINKERS AND PROBLEM DRIVERS. POLICE OR OTHER AGENCIES SHOULD WORK IN COORDINATION. AN ALCOHOL EDUCATION PROGRAM, APPLICABLE AND ACCEPTABLE TO THE POOR AND NON-WHITE SHOULD BE DEVELOPED. ANY PROPOSED MEASURES SHOULD INCLUDE PROVISIONS FOR A STUDY OF ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF POLICE, PROSECUTERS, JUDGES, PROBATION OFFICERS, PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, EDUCATORS, COMMUNICATORS, AND OTHERS INVOLVED.
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Supplemental Notes:
- Vol 19, No 4, PP 16-23, 23 REF
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Authors:
- ZYLMAN, R
- Publication Date: 1971-4
Media Info
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Serial:
- TRAFFIC DIGEST AND REVIEW
- Publisher: Northwestern University, Evanston
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Alcoholism; Driver rehabilitation; Drunk drivers; Drunk driving; Highway safety; Public health; Traffic conviction
- Uncontrolled Terms: Rehabilitation
- Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00223546
- Record Type: Publication
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Aug 1 1971 12:00AM