The rehabilitation of drivers who have committed repeated or serious driving offences. A survey of 1,631 candidates for the Medical Psychological Assessment (MPA – a test to determine the fitness to drive of traffic offenders) from throughout the Federal Republic of Germany showed that around half (52.6%) of those sitting the test felt sufficiently to optimally informed about the rehabilitation process. The other half (47.4%) judged the level of information to be less than satisfactory. However, the majority of the MPA candidates questioned stated that they had received important information on fulfilling the conditions necessary for the restoration of their driving licence either too late or only after considerable research, or that they had not re-ceived this information at all. Nonetheless, 43.7% of first offenders took part – albeit it generally too late – in preparatory courses and counselling sessions before taking the MPA for the first time. Still, almost 70% of these individuals managed to receive a positive assessment. 7.6% are obliged to attend further courses. The group of of-fenders, who did not partake in counselling prior to the MPA, achieved a successful result only about half as often (37.1%), and are around three times more likely to have additional courses imposed upon them (21%). Due to a lack of information and a lack of awareness of the real issue on the part of offenders, very few realise early enough that lasting changes in attitudes and behaviour are necessary, if they are to be judged fit to drive. The inevitable consequence is considerable and, for the individuals affected, unexpected delays before their licences can be restored. If the group of offenders that received crucial and relevant information at an early stage and, in terms of the assessment guidelines, in good time is considered, it emerges that 62.4% of these individuals attained a positive evaluation at the first attempt (regardless of having attended any training courses). The success rate for the first attempt rose to 81% for those cases where offenders were well informed at an early stage and in addition participated in training measures prior to their first MPA. A further 6% were required to attend special courses. The results clearly indicate that the provision of relevant information at an early stage combined with counselling has a considerably beneficial influence on success rates for the rehabilitation process (an increase from 37.1% to 81%). On the basis of these results, we recommend the introduction of an obligatory diag-nostic procedure with a status assessment, counselling and the development of an individual programme of measures by the start of a driving ban at the latest. In this way, the phase of rehabilitation could be made more sustainable, efficient and com-prehensible for the individual concerned. Such an approach is likely to have not only a positive effect on rates of re-offending but also to greatly increase the acceptance of official sanctions in general and the assessment of fitness to drive specifically. The original report contains the data collection form used in the study as an annex. The reproduction was omitted in the present publication. It is available at the Federal Highway Research Institute and can be viewed there. (Author/publisher)
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