NCJ Number
143592
Journal
Journal of Legal Studies Volume: 22 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1993) Pages: 161-186
Date Published
1993
Length
26 pages
Annotation
The effects of deterrence laws and other alcohol- control policies designed on drunk driving were studied using time-series data for each of the 48 contiguous States from 1982 to 1988.
Abstract
Variables included motor vehicle fatalities, the fatality rate between midnight and 4 a.m., the fatality rate for alcohol-involved drivers, and age-specific fatality rates for persons ages 18-20. Indicators of State laws included implied-consent laws, illegal and administrative per se laws, minimum legal drinking ages for alcoholic beverages, preliminary-breath-test laws, open-container laws, laws prohibiting plea negotiations, laws specifying mandatory minimum penalties, and dram-shop statutes or case laws. Beer taxes were also considered. Results revealed that the most effective policies are the beer tax and the relatively severe 1-year administrative license suspension or revocation. The next most effective policies are the minimum legal drinking age of 21, a preliminary-breath-test law, a dram-shop law, and the relatively high mandatory minimum fine of $500. Several deterrent laws did not deter drunk driving. Tables and appended definitions of variables