Repeat Drink-Drivers: A Look At The Evidence On What Works. Fran Warren

Transcription

1 Repeat Drink-Drivers: A Look At The Evidence On What Works Fran Warren

2 Contents Background Approach Repeat drink drivers Classical Deterrence Theory Interventions explored What works? For 1 st time drink drivers Vehicle Impoundment, Immobilisation and Forfeiture License sanctions Alcohol Ignition Interlocks devices Alcohol Treatment Programs Findings Conclusions Thoughts

3 Background Context Vehicle Forfeiture Scheme Aim of the paper To review the evidence of what works To inform the evaluation of the VFS Scope

4 Approach Evidence review of Drink driving/drivers Repeat drink driving/drivers Theories of re-offending Interventions for repeat drink drivers (evidence of effectiveness)

5 Repeat drink drivers Recidivist drink drivers drive repeatedly after drinking alcohol, have more than one proven drink driving offence, are apprehended with high blood alcohol concentration readings and appear resistant to emotional appeal or the threat of criminal sanctions. Beirness, Mayhew and Simpson, 1997

6 Repeat drink drivers 1/3 of convicted drink drivers Characteristics Alcohol dependency Resistant to punishment and treatment Dangerous Different to first time drink drivers

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8 Classical Deterrence Theory Certainty, Severity and Swiftness of punishment Limitations - evidence Impervious to the threat of legal sanctions Long histories of Punishment avoidance Alcohol Dependency

9 Interventions Explored License sanctions * Vehicle Impoundment/Forfeiture Alcohol Treatment Programs Drink-Drive Rehabilitation Scheme Alcohol Ignition Interlock devices High Risk Offender scheme Designated Driver Programs Sentencing Fines* Campaigns Detection and enforcement Endorsements and penalty points Reduced BAC limits

10 What works for 1 st time Drink Drive offenders? Some evidence of effectiveness Detection and enforcement License sanctions Vehicle Impoundment/ Immobilisation/Forfeiture Alcohol Ignition Interlock devices Remedial/Rehabilitation/ Alcohol Treatment Programs Campaigns Reduced BAC limits No evidence of effectiveness Designated Driver Programs Fines Sentencing Endorsements and penalty points

11 Vehicle Forfeiture International studies Many schemes are different to the VFS Evidence of effectiveness Limitations

12 License sanctions An effective deterrent for most drink drivers Up to 75% of suspended or disqualified drivers continue to drive illegally at some level during their period of disqualification (Elvik et. al, 2009). Not effective when used in isolation for repeat Drink Drivers

13 Alcohol Ignition Interlock devices Evidence of effectiveness Limitations temporal effect, cost, low participation rates, misuse concerns Promise combining approaches

14 Alcohol Treatment Programs Education, therapy/treatment, follow-up. Educational programs Therapeutic programs Evidence of effectiveness mixed Important component in a package of measures

15 What works for repeat drink drivers? Legal sanctions alone are not effective No magic bullet This includes Vehicle Forfeiture A combination of approaches including punishment and incentives What do studies recommend?

16 Findings License actions plus alcohol treatment License suspension, plus alcohol treatment and interlocks

17 Conclusions Not a homogeneous group What works may not be the same as for first time drink drivers A combination of approaches Punitive legal sanctions but not in isolation Include remedial approaches

18 Thoughts VFS first time drink drivers? VFS - in combination with other programs? Interlocks Enforcement punishment avoidance More research on repeat drink drivers A health problem or a criminal act? (Elvik et al, 2009)

19 Thank You Any questions? Fran Warren Transport Analytical Services