This paper briefly reviews the major changes and anticipated trends in impaired driving policies, laws, enforcement, and sanctions in the USA. Thus legislation is largely a responsibility of the US states. The US laws prohibit the sale of alcohol to people under 21, but do not apply to drink-driving; however, they have reduced alcohol-related traffic fatalities for people under 21. Blood alcohol content (BAC) limits are being reduced for all drivers, and in some states are even lower in young drivers. In 1988, the Federal Government passed a law with even lower BAC limits for commercial drivers. Licence sanctions are becoming more popular for impaired driving offences, and vehicles sanctions are being tested in various places. Sobriety checkpoints are becoming more popular after their US Supreme Court approval in 1990. All states prohibit driving while impaired by drugs other than alcohol. A Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) programme has been developed to help police to test drivers suspected of such impairment. Police have begun to use such procedures in 24 states. Police evidence on drug impairment has been accepted in court. US police are currently faced with increasing demands on their services to address drink-driving and other drug-impaired driving.
Abstract