January 2014 V.1. Drink Drive Rehabilitation Course Magistrate Presentation

Transcription

1 January 2014 V.1. Drink Drive Rehabilitation Course Magistrate Presentation

2 What is ADDAPT? ADDAPT is the association of DSA drink drive approved providers of training courses. Our Aim is to provide drink drive offenders referred to an approved course, with expert training in a group situation about problems associated with drink-driving, enabling them to develop future non-offending behaviour and thereby reduce re-offending.

3 Drink Drive Rehabilitation Courses (DDRC) Drink Drive Rehabilitation Courses have been approved by the Secretary of State and providers appointed by the Department of Transport. From 1 July 2009 the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has taken over the general administration of the courses The re-offending rate is now 7.6% for course participants, as opposed to 17.9% for non-course attendees.

4 The size of the problem 2002 : 87, : 76, : 90, : 72, : 92, : 57, : 89, : 53, : 88, : 53, : 85,600 Figures for driving with excess alcohol/drugs, so some offences (drugs only) would not be eligible for a drink drive course referral and some may have been found Not Guilty. Source: Criminal Justice Statistics Quarterly, Motoring Tables, England and Wales.

5 Drink Drive Rehabilitation Courses How and when did they start? : Initial Pilot Scheme introduced in 19 court areas across UK : Expanded Pilot Scheme 2000 Present : Scheme was formally adopted and became permanent within all courts throughout Great Britain.

6 Drink Drive Rehabilitation Courses (DDRC) The DDR course aims to increase course attendees awareness of the dangers of drink driving. Approaches used in the courses vary considerably but involve a mixture of presentations, exercises, discussions and role play aimed at increasing knowledge and changing attitudes towards drink driving. Attendees represent a broad cross-section of the community in terms of age, gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.

7 Monitoring of DDRC Questionnaire at beginning and end of training. Evaluation sheet completed by every course participant. Evaluation sheet completed by every trainer. Evaluation of (any) visiting speakers by participants. External and internal assessments. Inspection visits by DSA. Statistical information sent to DSA.

8 Course structure Maximum flexibility to allow access for all individuals eg. unemployed/ employed / shift workers / carers. Available courses may include: 3 consecutive full days (ie 3 x Saturdays) 4 or 5 evenings 1 afternoon followed by two full days 1 full day followed by 3 evenings Courses are usually run over a minimum of 14 days. Reduced fees payable for some individuals who are in receipt of certain benefits Payment plans and credit card payments available.

9 The course A minimum of 16 hours contact/training time. Alcohol education : units, absorption, elimination. Health implications of drinking alcohol. Includes short lectures, videos and group discussions. Visiting speakers may be used where possible eg. police, magistrates, fire fighters. Consequences of drink-driving: victims, collisions and society. Strategies for the future. Insurance sanctions. Safe driving awareness. Homework small amounts eg. drinks diaries

10 Aims & Objectives of DDRC To understand that drinking should not be mixed with driving. To check and increase participants knowledge of the effects of alcohol. To encourage constructive change to participants attitude towards the use of alcohol To encourage constructive change in drinking patterns and behaviour. To introduce alternative approaches to dealing with pressure to drink inappropriately. To enable participants to recognise the implications of their drinking behaviours for themselves, their families and the community. To encourage participants to examine their own offence and recognise the effects of alcohol on driving skills. To enable participants to avoid re-offending.

11 Criteria for successful completion Participants must attend all sessions alcohol and illicit drug free Full participation during the course Attendance Punctuality In exceptional circumstances participants who miss a session will be able to join a new course but a medical certificate or letter of explanation must be provided. Fees must be paid in full usually before the course commences and at the latest by the end of course.

12 What do participants gain? Reduction in disqualification period up to 25%. Reduction in risk of re-offending. The possibility of reduced insurance premiums Increased knowledge of alcohol units, and the effects on the body, behaviour and driving skills. At the end of the course participants are advised how to re-apply for their licence, including any medical assessment for High Risk Offenders.

13 What do you know about alcohol? 4 quick quiz questions to test your knowledge of alcohol and drink driving.

14 Quick Quiz Question 1 You will reach the legal drink-drive limit in the UK after drinking? (a)two glasses of wine (b)a double vodka (c)three large gin and tonics (d)two pints of lager (e)it differs for each person

15 Quick Quiz Question 1 ANSWER = (a)two glasses of wine (b)a double vodka (c)three large gin and tonics (d)two pints of lager (e)it differs for each person

16 Quick Quiz Question 2 If you drink two glasses (250ml) of white wine (13% ABV), what is the shortest amount of time you would expect it to take before all the alcohol has left your body and you are safe to drive? (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) 2-3 hours 3-4 hours 4-5 hours 5-6 hours 6-7 hours

17 Quick Quiz Question 2 ANSWER = (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) 2-3 hours 3-4 hours 4-5 hours 5-6 hours 6-7 hours

18 Quick Quiz Question 3 The proportion of drink/driving offences which occur the morning after drinking is? (a) 1 in 3 (b) 1 in 5 (c) 1 in 10 (d) 1 in 12

19 Quick Quiz Question 3 ANSWER = (a) 1 in 3 (b) 1 in 5 = 20% of convicted drink drivers (c) 1 in 10 (d) 1 in 12

20 Quick Quiz Question 4 Someone is classed as a High Risk Offender if they? (a) (b) (c) (d) Are disqualified twice within a 10 year period for any drink-drive offence Their breath or blood reading is 2½ times or more over the legal limit (87.5 in breath or 200 in blood) They fail to provide a specimen for analysis Any of the above

21 Quick Quiz Question 4 ANSWER = (a) (b) (c) (d) Are disqualified twice within a 10 year period for any drink-drive offence Their breath or blood reading is 2½ times or more over the legal limit (87.5 in breath or 200 in blood) They fail to provide a specimen for analysis Any of the above All High Risk Offenders will have to pass a medical examination before they are legally able to drive again.

22 High Risk Offender Scheme Developed during compilation of a report by Judge Blennerhasset in Considered that HRO s were more likely to have an alcohol problem and should produce evidence of fitness to drive before reinstatement of licence Conference at Institute of Alcohol Studies made refinements of category HRO scheme implemented.

23 Purpose of HRO Scheme To identify those convicted drivers who, by reason of recent or ongoing alcohol misuse, are at high risk of recidivist behaviour and therefore would pose a risk to road safety. Legal Courts should always take the driving licence off offenders including all foreign driving licences. Annex III of the 2nd Directive: Driving licences shall not be issued to, or renewed for, applicants or drivers who are dependent on alcohol or unable to refrain from drinking and driving. Please note that when Courts fail to remove foreign licences, HRO s can avoid undertaking a medical examination and continue to drive.

24 HRO Assessment Applicant pays an independent DVLA appointed doctor Medical and lifestyle history Physical examination Blood tests : GGT, AST, ALT and MCV May require information from GP and/or consultant May require consultant referral The DLVA refuse or restrict the licences of approximately 10% of HRO s due to results from medical assessment.

25 Dft Guidance for DDRC Many designated courts have referred 100% of their drink drive offenders. The presumption should be that an offender who is willing to attend a course is suitable unless there is clear evidence to the contrary.

26 How to Refer An offender can only be referred at the time of sentence by the Magistrates Courts access up-to-date Provider information on Annexe A at ddrs-guidance-for-course-providers-from-june- 2013#annex-a-list-of-approved-course-providers. Offenders need to choose which provider they wish to be referred to. The referral is then sent by the court to the chosen DDRC provider

27 How to Refer All courts should hold leaflets for each Provider in their area (it is helpful if offenders can have access to this information prior to coming into the Court room) Offenders can and should be referred twice where appropriate. Offences eligible for DDRC alcohol related driving offences Providers are not allowed to accept drug driving referrals