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High-risk drivers are drivers who repeatedly drive after drinking, especially with a high blood alcohol content (BAC) levels, and who seem relatively resistant to changing their behavior.
In evaluating research on high-risk drivers and current methods of punishment and treatment, MADD has determined a practical, comprehensive public policy approach to controlling these dangerous drivers, which is outlined in MADD’s High-Risk Driver Report.
In our efforts to help influence public policy, MADD defines these drivers as:
- Offenders convicted (conviction is defined as receiving a court-imposed sanction) of a second DUI (driving under the influence) offense within a five-year period;
- Offenders convicted of a first DUI offense with a BAC of .15 percent or higher; and
- Offenders convicted of a DUI offense, where the suspension was the result of a conviction for DUI.
Statistics and Implications
The statistics on high-risk drivers make it clear that their behavior puts them and the people around them at significant risk.
Repeat offenders
- About one-third of all drivers arrested or convicted of driving under the influence are repeat offenders.
- These drivers are 40 percent more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than those without prior DUI/DWIs.
High-BAC offenders
- Fifty-nine (59) percent of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in 2005 involved drivers with a BAC of .15 percent or above.
- These drivers are at least 382 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than a non-drinking driver.
Offenders who drive on a suspended license
- Fifty (50) percent to 75 percent of drunk drivers whose licenses are suspended continue to drive.
- Thirty-two (32) percent of suspended second-time offenders and 61 percent of suspended third-time offenders received violations or were involved in crashes during their suspensions.
- Generally, unlicensed drivers are 4.9 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than properly licensed drivers.
Drivers who refuse a BAC test
- Depending on the state, 3 percent to over 80 percent of people under suspicion for DUI/DWI refused to take a BAC test.
- Not surprisingly, those states that did not sanction those who refuse the test more than those who take the test had higher refusal rates. Also, offenders who refuse the test tend to have higher recidivism rates and more previous offenses.
Responding to the Challenge
MADD believes that the best way to address the challenge of the high-risk driver is through tougher restrictions on driving, restitution sanctions and recovery provisions. In addition, MADD supports the use of sobriety checkpoints and improved tracking of DUI offenses.
Restrictions on driving
Restrict vehicle operation by suspending licenses, impounding or immobilizing vehicles, and requiring alcohol ignition interlock devices on offenders’ vehicles.
- Studies show that administrative license revocation laws can decrease fatal late-night crashes by 9 percent.
- Ignition interlocks (devices that prevent people who have alcohol in their system from driving a car. have reduced repeat DUI/DWI offenses among convicted drinking drivers in Maryland, California and other states by 50 percent to 90 percent.
- License suspension was effective in reducing DUI offenses among convicted drinking drivers in Ohio. After two years, there were lower rates of moving violations and crashes compared with DUI offenders convicted before the law went into effect and this reduction significantly reduced alcohol-related fatalities.
- Vehicle impoundment has reduced DUI/DWI offenses among convicted drinking drivers. In California, first-time offenders who had their vehicles impounded had 25 percent fewer crashes and repeat offenders had 38 percent fewer crashes than similar offenders who had access to their vehicles trong>
Restitution sanctions
Require compensation to the community through fines, mandatory incarceration and financial restitution to crash victims.
- Community service has little or no impact on reducing recidivism. However, some judges use creative sentencing and restitution sanctions to develop more meaningful sanctions.
- Fines and court fees can be used to offset the costs of law enforcement efforts to crack down on drunk drivers and to pay the cost of treatment programs. They can also fund special minimum-security facilities for DUI offenders.
Recovery provisions
Promote recovery programs through mandatory alcohol assessment and treatment, intensive probation and attendance at victim impact panels.
- More than 70 percent of DUI offenders have alcohol abuse problems and between 10 percent and 50 percent were alcohol dependent. Repeat offenders are the most likely to be alcohol dependent.
- A 1995 study found that DUI offenders who participated in treatment programs had a 7-9% reduction in recidivism over those who had no treatment.
Sobriety checkpoints
MADD advocates the use of regular, highly publicized sobriety checkpoints as a tool in deterring, identifying and apprehending high-risk drivers and other potential offenders.
Data collection and record keeping
MADD urges the establishment and implementation of statewide DUI tracking and record-keeping in order to effectively identify higher risk drivers and to ensure that states gather and keep accurate records on offenders.
How To Spot a Drunk Driver
Alcohol affects the central nervous system, impairing vision, coordination, judgment and reaction time. When someone is driving impaired, they may overcompensate for these impaired functions in an effort to make their driving appear normal. In fact, some drunk drivers may actually appear as if they are just overly cautious drivers.
Here are signs that a driver may be drunk:
- Turning with a wide radius
- Driving below the speed limit
- Straddling the center of the road or lane marker
- Drifting or moving in a straight line at a slight angle to the roadway
- Driving with headlights off at night
- Erratic braking or stopping without cause
- Slow response to traffic signals (sudden stop, delayed start)
- Nearly striking an object, curb, etc.
- Weaving or zigzagging across the road
- Driving on the wrong side of the road or completely off the road way
- Tailgating
- Appearing to be drunk (eye fixation, face close to windshield)
- Swerving or abruptly turning away from a generally straight course
- Turning abruptly or illegally
- Signaling that is inconsistent with driving actions
If You Spot a Drunk Driver
If you spot a drunk driver, create a safe distance between you and the other driver. Write down the license plate number, a description of the vehicle and the direction it’s traveling. Then call 911 to make a report. If you’re calling from your cell phone, make sure to pull over safely before making the call.
It’s also important to know what not to do if you spot a drunk driver. Don’t:
- Try to stop the vehicle
- Disregard traffic signals or laws in an attempt to keep the driver in view
- Follow the drunk driver too closely in case of sudden stops
- Try to detain the drunk driver if the vehicle stops
- Act in the capacity of any police, fire or medical person unless you’re properly trained and authorized to perform that function
- Assist any law enforcement officer who’s apprehending a drunk driver
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