Policy Effects of a DWI Law and a Publicity Campaign (From The Media and Criminal Justice Policy, P 193-203, 1990, Ray Surette, ed. -- See NCJ-125773)

• NCJ Number: 125785
• Author(s): B Nienstedt
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study of the deterrent effects of a 1982 Arizona drunk-driving law and a publicity campaign that preceded it indicates that the publicity campaign was more cost effective.

Abstract

Under the new law, diversion and plea bargaining were prohibited, and mandatory jail and prison sentences were mandated. Extensive multimedia campaigns against drunk driving were mounted in Arizona's two largest cities some five months before the law's implementation. To test the impact of these two interventions, this study used a triangulation of research methods, including a quantitative time series quasi-experimental design and qualitative methods, such as content analysis of newspapers and a process evaluation. An experimental and control series of traffic accidents were subjected to time series analysis over the periods of the two interventions. The experimental series involved accidents attributed to the use of alcohol, and the control series involved accidents without alcohol involvement. Findings show that the March 1982 publicity campaigns were more effective than the August 1982 drunk-driving law in deterring accidents due to drinking drivers. The study argues for the use of publicity and education campaigns to deter drunk driving rather than harsh sanctions, particularly since the latter produces unintended consequences for the criminal justice system. 1 table, 12 references.