When science meets policy: co-construction of decision making [recidivist drink drivers]

The legislation in the province of Québec stipulates that a driver’s license is a privilege that drivers can be deprived if they are determined to represent a road safety risk. Until June 2012, only convicted DWI offenders were assessed to evaluate such risk. This delayed procedure was deemed insufficient. Accordingly, the Société d’assurance automobile du Québec, Québec’s licensing authority, introduced a change in their procedures. They introduced an assessment procedure to identify elevated risk for DWI recidivism upon arrest for drivers who had: 1) a blood alcohol concentration equal or superior to 160mg per cent; 2) a previous conviction for DWI within the last 10 years; 3) a refusal to provide a breath sample. This strategy did not eliminate a more fundamental shortcoming. The validity of prediction of DWI risk in first-time arrested drivers is inconclusive in the current state of knowledge. To palliate these limitations, the SAAQ assembled a Working Group composed of: 1) the coordinator of the current assessment program and her assistant; 2) three scientists experienced in prediction of DWI recidivism; 3) two clinicians experienced in the assessment of convicted DWI offenders; 4) a highly qualified research professional; 5) professionals of the research unit of the SAAQ.

• Record URL:
  http://www.icadtsinternational.com/files/documents/2013_096.pdf
• 
• Authors:
  • Nadeau, L
  • Brown, T G
  • Bhatti, J
  • Beaumont, C
  • Courtemanche, J
  • Mercier, S
• Conference:
  • International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety (T2013), 20th, 2013, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
• Publication Date: 2013-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 574-9
• Monograph Title: 20th International Conference on Alcohol, Drugs and Traffic Safety Conference Proceedings, 25-28 August 2013, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Drivers; Drunk driving; Intoxication; Policy; Recidivists; Risk assessment; Suspensions
• Uncontrolled Terms: Safe systems (road users)
• Geographic Terms: Canada; Quebec, Canada
• ATRI Terms: Drink driving; Licence suspension; Policy; Recidivist; Risk assessment
• Subject Areas: Policy; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01500781
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ITRD, ATRI
• Created Date: Dec 5 2013 8:48AM