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IMPEDIMENTS TO EFFORTS TO REDUCE IMPAIRED DRIVING IN TEXAS

IMPEDIMENTS TO EFFORTS TO REDUCE IMPAIRED DRIVING IN TEXAS. Becky T. Davies Center for Transportation Safety Texas Transportation Institute. Texas Traffic Fatalities in 2004 ( Traffic Safety Facts , NHTSA). 3,699 More than 40% were Alcohol-Related. Impediments.

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IMPEDIMENTS TO EFFORTS TO REDUCE IMPAIRED DRIVING IN TEXAS

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  1. IMPEDIMENTS TO EFFORTS TO REDUCE IMPAIRED DRIVING IN TEXAS Becky T. Davies Center for Transportation Safety Texas Transportation Institute

  2. Texas Traffic Fatalities in 2004(Traffic Safety Facts, NHTSA) 3,699 More than 40% were Alcohol-Related

  3. Impediments • Data Quality and Quantity • Texas Insurance Code clause hinders the prosecution of injured intoxicated drivers who are taken to a hospital • High Rate of BAC Test Refusal • Administrative License Revocation (ALR) Does not Keep Offenders from Driving • Underutilization of Ignition Interlocks

  4. Data Quality and QuantityTwo Sources of Informationon Alcohol-Related Crashes: • Texas Department of Public Safety Crash Records Investigation System (CRIS) • National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationFatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)

  5. Reliable information regarding driver BACs is important for: - formulating public policy - initiating legislative reform - allocating funds for DWI enforcement - evaluating the effectiveness of DWI countermeasures

  6. Texas Insurance Code Chapter 3 - Life, Health and Accident Insurance. Art. 3.70 – 3. Accident and Sickness Policy Provisions. (B) Other Provisions. Intoxicants and Narcotics: The insurer shall not be liable for any loss sustained or contracted in consequence of the insured’s being intoxicated or under the influence of any narcotic unless administered on the advice of a physician.

  7. Injured Drunk Drivers are Frequently Protected from Prosecution • Study included Injured drivers admitted to Brackenridge Hospital over a 2-year period • 251 injured drivers had a BAC > .10 • Only 16% (42 of the 251 injured intoxicated drivers) were charged with DWI • The cost of medical care for the 251 injured intoxicated drivers was $6.3 million (χ=$18,533 each) Criddle, L.M., & Carson, B. (1998). The injured drunk driver in central Texas: Incidence, demographics, and legal ramifications. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 24, 309-315.

  8. High Rate of BAC Test Refusal • Up to 50% of DWI arrestees refuse to be tested for alcohol and other drugs • Lack of BAC test results hinders the prosecution of DWI cases • Penalty for refusal is minimal (180 days license suspension) • Although arrested drivers involved in a fatal or serious injury crash cannot refuse to be tested, many injured drivers go untested

  9. ALR Does Not Work • Up to 75% of suspended or revoked drivers will drive anyway (often after consuming alcohol) • The ease of obtaining an “Occupational License” dilutes the effectiveness of ALR • Many drivers fail to reinstate their licenses, choosing instead to drive illegally since the chance of apprehension is so low

  10. Ignition Interlock Devices are Underutilized in Texas • Ignition interlocks are mandatory for repeat offenders placed on probation • Ignition interlocks are mandatory for anyone with a BAC > 0.15 • Ignition interlocks reduce re-arrest for DWI by 40-90% • NHTSA estimates that up to 3,500 lives could be saved annually if all DWI offenders had interlocks on their vehicles

  11. An Ignition Interlock is like anElectronic Probation Officer • Dedicated Probation Officer in Front Seat • On duty 24 hours per day • Gives the Driver Immediate Feedback • Tests and Records Daily BACs • Allows only Alcohol-Free Persons to Drive • Reports All Violations to the Court • Costs the DWI Offender only $2.30 per day (less than one drink per day) Richard Roth MADD Technology Symposium, June 2006

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