Evaluation of Administrative Per Se Laws

• NCJ Number: 120776
• Date Published: 1989
• Author(s): K Stewart; P Gruenewald; T Roth
• Length: 41 pages
• Grant Number(s): 86-IJ-CX-0081
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

This study examines the specific deterrence effects of administrative license revocation in three States.

Abstract

In Louisiana, Mississippi, and North Dakota, recidivism rates of samples of drivers arrested for drunken driving were compared before and after the implementation of administrative license penalties. Comparisons were made with California, which lacks administrative license revocation. Study results showed that in Louisiana and North Dakota, significant decreases in recidivism rates occurred following implementation of administrative penalties. Although in Mississippi no decrease in drunken driving recidivism was observed, there were decreases in the rates of other traffic offenses. In California, no significant changes in recidivism rates were observed. This study examined also the impact of the implementation of administrative license sanctions on the attitudes and practices of law enforcement agencies. While officers had complaints about excess paperwork and hearing appearances, their enthusiasm for enforcing drunken driving laws did not decrease. 6 tables, 8 figures, 21 references. (Author abstract modified)