DUI Countermeasures Overviewed
By Jack Dresser, Ph.D.
The Prevention Researcher,
Volume 2, Number 1, 1995, Pages 8-12
Abstract:
This article surveys the range of efforts that have been undertaken to prevent drunk driving. Restricting the "agent" -- alcohol -- has failed in its broadest application, absolute prohibition, but has been somewhat effective in narrower applications. Sanctioning the "host" -- the drunken driver -- can take several forms. Punishment appeals to the widespread view of drunk driving as a moral failure deserving of correction, but fails to work as a deterrent due to the immensely small probability of its application in any given case of drunk driving. The author favors educational and therapeutic intervention, which present themselves as a rare and important opportunity to prevent reoccurence after a DUI arrest, in light of the low ratio of DUI arrests to DUI events. Modifying the environment in which drinking takes place as a DUI countermeasure takes the forms of server education and ride service programs -- both measures where an understanding of the cultural environment in which drinking occurs is essential, with studies showing important differences among various ethnic groups -- and changes in the legislation regarding permissible blood alcohol content.
This article can be found in the issue:
Drunk Driving Countermeasures (Adult)
The Prevention Researcher,
Volume 2, Number 1, 1995
The third issue of The Prevention Researcher focuses on drinking driving countermeasures.
This issue also featured these articles:
- • Confronting Drunk Driving, Pages 1-5
- • DUI Countermeasures Overviewed, Pages 8-12
- • Front Line Intervention: A Server Training Program, Pages 5-7
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