This study reports the experience of three states (Minnesota, Delaware, and New Mexico) that have had administrative licence revocation laws for drunk drivers for a relatively long time. Their laws differ importantly in procedural details and in the nature of the populations to which they apply. The study focuses on these states' experience with the process, including the problems found in implementing and maintaining the system and attempts to resolve these problems. It also provides an evaluation of the deterrent success of these laws. The report is based on interviews with safety officials, license-system administrators, state and local police officers, prosecutors and defense attorneys, and trial and appelate judges in the three states. Interviews were informal, focusing on the informants' experiences with the origination and operation of administrative licence revocation laws. Data were obtained as available, including series on nighttime fatalities and alcohol-involved fatalities from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatal Accident Reporting System (FARS), which form the basis for intervention analyses to determine the deterrent effect of the laws. Other data series include arrests, revocations, administrative appeals, and their outcomes. (A)
Abstract