The Challenges of Screening DUI Offenders

Abstract

Prior to 1970, most states in the United States at strict penalties that were imposed on convicted DUI offenders. These penalties usually included monetary fines and suspension of driving privileges with sanctions for multiple offenses naturally penalties imposed on recidivists were much greater than for first offenders. However, by the mid 1970s, the national Highway traffic safety administration began to implement alcohol safety action programs, which were instituted in 35 communities across United States and we're sometimes referred to as alcohol countermeasure programs, whereby convicted offenders we're legally mandated to attend alcohol education programs. Many of these alcohol countermeasure programs would include some type of screening assessment to determine whether alcohol education was sufficient or whether alcohol counseling or treatment might be necessary. This came time when it was determined that Street driving under the influence laws and penalties alone were not sufficient in reducing recidivism rates, which within as high as 33% of first offenders who would subsequently receive a second driving under the influence offense. It has been estimated that approximately 50% of first time offenders may have an alcohol use disorder, where is the other half probably comprise individuals who made a poor decision to drink and drive after attending an event such as a wedding or a party. It was hypothesized that these four decision-makers probably do not drink and drive on a consistent basis, as do those with an alcohol use disorder, where by drinking and driving is likely to occur on a regular basis. In this regard, it has been estimated that this group of drivers will make somewhere in the area of 400 drinking and driving trips, prior to coming to the attention of the police.... KEYWORDS: Alcohol drinking; Automobile driving Language: en