There has been longstanding interest in determining which sanctions work best to reduce drunk driving. This study, mandated by the California Legislature (SB 1344) and funded by the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Programs (DADP), examined the degree to which first offender, SB 38 and 30- month drinking driver programs (DDPs) in California reduced drunk driving recidivism, relative to other sanctions, such as driver license suspension. Based on the findings from this study, as well as those from prior research, this report recommends combining alcohol treatment with driver license actions as the best strategy for reducing drunk driving recidivism and enhancing overall traffic safety. Of lesser importance, but also examined, is whether changes in first offender and SB 38 DDPs (first offender programs were consolidated under DADP licensing and review, and SB 38 programs were lengthened from 12 to 18 months) increased their effectiveness in reducing recidivism. The analysis found no evidence to support the hypothesis that changes in these programs increased their effectiveness.
Samenvatting