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Traffic Safety -- DIGEST -- Alcohol and Other Drugs Programs
BOUNCERS (Business Opposed to Underage Consumption and Irresponsible Selling) ILLINOIS PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Underage consumption of alcohol continues to be a serious national problem despite extensive prevention and education efforts. The Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agencies can increase the effectiveness of those efforts through cooperative activities with servers and sellers of alcoholic beverages. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES BOUNCERS (Business Opposed to Underage Consumption and Irresponsible Selling) is a coalition of members at the retail level of the alcohol beverage industry and the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. The BOUNCERS coalition aims to reduce the occurrence of underage consumption through improved collaborative efforts. BOUNCERS objectives include development of educational programming and implementation of enforcement measures. Through these activities, BOUNCERS will help prevent underage sales of alcohol and promote responsible and legal use of alcoholic beverages. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The BOUNCERS coalition meets bimonthly to discuss new ideas and track progress of ongoing projects. BOUNCERS provides assistance to the diverse group of retailers and servers/sellers who interact with the consumer on a daily basis. This assistance includes promoting and enhancing retailer involvement in ensuring responsible and safe use of alcoholic beverages. The following activities are part of the program: þ Provide an educational forum to exchange information based upon the collective experience and knowledge of members þ Foster communication and facilitate the networking necessary to formulate strong alliances with those members of the industry who make genuine efforts to promote the responsible and legal use of alcoholic beverages þ Enlist energy and support at the grassroots level, raising retailer awareness of the appropriate use of alcohol in terms of public safety and underage purchasingþand raise public awareness through public service announcements and various promotional materials Potential activities under consideration include continual needs assessment for servers and sellers on their concerns, suggestions and comments; design and conduct of annual seminars or periodic workshops; and development of a clearinghouse and distribution network for existing resources. BOUNCERS has also planned a unique six-month pilot project, Enforce 21, that focuses on preventing underage purchase and consumption of alcohol in three Illinois counties. RESULTS Although the BOUNCERS Coalition is still in its early stages, it has received widespread support. Planning efforts are proceeding rapidly and collaboration between the groups has resulted in several innovative ideas. As the program progresses, its impact on promoting responsible and legal use of alcohol will become more evident. California Highway Patrol (CHP) Designated Driver Program CALIFORNIA PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION During 1990, an estimated 366,834 people in California were arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, and 41,372 people reportedly were involved in alcohol-related traffic collisions resulting in serious injury or death. In response to these statistics, the California State Legislature and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) jointly made a strong commitment to reducing the number of alcohol- related injuries and deaths from motor vehicle collisions. As a first step, the legislature enacted a state law in 1990 to increase by $5 the renewal fee for on-site, liquor license holders. In addition, earmarked revenues were generated from the increase to establish a funding base for CHP's Statewide Designated Driver Program (DDP). The fund provides approximately $350,000 annually for DDP program management activities, enabling CHP to offer free program materials to establishments, other allied agencies and anti-DUI organizations. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES DDP is designed to encourage and reward people who choose to abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages so they can drive others home safely. The major objectives of the program are to: þ Reduce the number of drinking drivers on California's roadways þ Ensure that only sober people get behind the wheel of a car þ Reflect an attitude of care and concern for establishment patrons and others in thecommunity who will be sharing the roadway with them STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES DDP promotional materials have been publicized through a variety of media. In addition to printed materials, radio and television public service announcements (PSAs) are made available at no charge to all establishments interested in promoting the program. Currently, more than 500,000 pieces of printed materials have been distributed throughout the state to a wide variety of interest groups and community organizations. For the past 3 years, major league baseball, football and basketball events have included a DDP component. Because sports stadiums host hundreds of events where alcohol is present, their participation in DDP provides an invaluable opportunity to convey the dangers of drinking and driving. Events hosted by major league teams designed to reinforce DDP's message include Traffic Safety Day and Law Enforcement Day. A billboard campaign has been proposed for this year to introduce the concept of the "Designated Driver as an All- Star." Additional radio and television PSAs will be developed and distributed throughout the state. The main program activity will continue to be introducing program materials to restaurants and bars that sell alcohol and permit consumption on the premises. Further efforts will focus on working with community-based groups and allied agencies to emphasize the positive results of the program. RESULTS During 1992, 259,000 DUI arrests were made in California. This represents a 29.1 percent decrease for the two-year period since legislation was enacted to fund the Designated Driver Program (DDP). In addition, the number of alcohol-related motor vehicle deaths and injuries dropped from 41,372 in 1990 to 31,496 in 1992, a decrease of 24.9 percent over two years. The California Highway Patrol believes that DDP has played a significant role in reducing these figures. California Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) CALIFORNIA PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION A number of studies support the assertion that consumption of alcohol in server/seller establishments significantly contributes to incidents of drinking and driving. In 1985, a review of ten studies on the "place of last drink" determined that 40-63 percent of drivers arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) indicated that they had consumed their final drinks before driving at licensed establishments. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The goal of the Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) program is to provide licensees and applicants with knowledge in three major areas: þ How to prevent sales to minors and intoxicated persons þ How to recognize signs of drug activity in on-sale establishments þ How to recognize drug paraphernalia at off-sale establishments The program objectives were: þ To conduct train the trainer sessions for all Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) investigators in California þ To train new license applicants þ To train existing licensees and their employees who responded to ABC's written invitation to attend sessions STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES LEAD involves cooperation between the Departments of Alcohol and Drug Programs, California Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEADS) (cont'd) Departments of Food and Agriculture, California Highway Patrol (CHP), Office of Traffic Safety, County Alcohol Program Administrators, local law enforcement, industry groups, community groups and coalitions. These groups collaborated in the development of a curriculum and two videos for training retail licensees. The diversity of the target population prompted LEAD program administrators to create English, Spanish and Korean versions of the curriculum and the videos. In addition, Model House and Store Policies: A Guide for Licensees, was designed to help licensees write responsible company policies. LEAD trainers worked with the Division of Fairs and Expositions to establish policy and procedure for implementing server training at state funded fairs, expositions and festivals. This cooperative effort established sound alcohol management policies for fair sites and formal training for alcohol servers. Both CHP and local law enforcement agencies participated in joint LEAD training sessions. The ABC is currently drafting legislation to make the LEAD training mandatory for alcoholic beverage licensees who have experienced violations and to require these licensees to pay for the training. RESULTS During the course of this project, ABC staff trained a total of 17,798 persons in 1,016 separate training sessions. These individuals represented 5,004 separate alcoholic beverage licensed establishments. The project opened up a new dialogue between the ABC and the licensees it regulates. Licensees now view the ABC as a helping agency rather than an adversary. Pre-training and post-training licensee test results indicated an increase in participant knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. A total of 75 percent of 96 on-sale and 84 percent of 52 off-sale licensees surveyed reported that the LEAD Project increased their commitment to training their staff members. Operation Zero Tolerance ALABAMA PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Officers of the Traffic Section of the Mobile Police Department noticed an increase in the number of traffic crashes occurring along a busy thoroughfare in Mobile, Alabama. In the three years prior to the development and deployment of Operation Zero Tolerance, Mobile experienced 745 traffic crashes resulting in a total of 37 fatalities and 151 injuries. A study of the designated area revealed a developing trend of crashes, deaths and injuries. Consequently, there was a perceived need for a highly visible enforcement effort to deter dangerous driving behavior. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The goal of the Operation Zero Tolerance program is to decrease the number of traffic crashes and resulting fatalities and injuries in Mobile, Alabama. To achieve this, the program sought to: þ Identify most frequent traffic violations contributing to the rising trend in crashes and injuries þ Identify specific target areas and crash data in the city of Mobile þ Develop strategies to address these traffic problems with the most efficient use possible of available employees and equipment STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The Mobile Police Department initiated the Operation Zero Tolerance program by holding a press conference focusing on Mobile's serious traffic crash problems and the disastrous social and economic impact of those crashes on the community. At the press conference, members of the media were informed of the purpose of the program and the enhanced enforcement efforts that would take place. Newspaper articles and public service announcements on local radio stations helped inform the public about the efforts to reduce traffic related fatalities, injuries and property loss. Police officers aggressively monitored the targeted areas and strictly enforced traffic safety laws such as impaired driving, speeding and reckless driving. In addition, the Transit Authority donated space for a "Buckle Up Mobile" advertisement on one of its buses. RESULTS Since Operation Zero Tolerance was initiated in March 1993, traffic fatalities dropped from 37 to 10. Safety belt usage has increased from 38 to 85 percent. Insurance companies have saved an estimated $1.8 million in vehicle repair costs and another $10 million in economic savings. Additionally, a collateral effect of the program has yielded 28 felony arrests and 755 misdemeanor arrests. DWI Offender Driver License Examination MINNESOTA PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION In Minnesota, approximately 30,000 residents have DWI convictions or administrative implied consent revocations each year. The number of multiple incidents of this nature rose from 40 percent of the revocations in 1986 to 50 percent in 1994. Each of these drivers is required by statute to retest for an original license. However, this requirement does not test the driver's in-depth knowledge of the laws for which he or she was convicted, nor does it provide education on the dangers of the offense. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The goal of the DWI Offender Driver License Examination program is to reduce the incidence of recidivism among revoked DWI offenders. Specifically, the program is designed to: þ Require drivers who must retest to study materials that focus on the problem which led to the revocation of their driving privileges þ Educate the impaired driver about the damaging effects of his or her behavior on society, and the personal consequences of violating DWI laws þ Test impaired drivers' knowledge of this information as a requirement for reinstatement of driving privileges STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES A legislative initiative was put forth to replace the current standards of testing for reinstatement of driver licenses for persons convicted of driving while impaired. The passage of the legislation allowed the commissioner of public safety to develop a manual and written test that addresses violations that may lead to revocations. The Minnesota Institute of Public Health was awarded a contract to develop a set of study materials and a written test. The test was given to individuals under revocation and individuals in training classes. Based on the results of the test, the Minnesota Institute of Public Health revised the materials and test and then utilized them with the general public for a period of six months. When the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division of the Department of Public Safety assessed the success of the new test, they discovered that the failure rate was very high. Officials made efforts to disseminate the study materials to individuals earlier, emphasized the necessity of studying for the test, and revised the test to reflect the targeted issues. RESULTS The most recent survey conducted by the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division of the Department of Public Safety revealed a substantial improvement in the test's effectiveness. Test results were positive and complaints about the test by takers were reduced. The emphasis on studying prior to the test helps address issues specific to reducing recidivism among revoked DWI offenders. Governor's DUI Task Force MONTANA PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Education, enforcement and engineering have contributed to reductions in the number of alcohol-related fatalities in the state of Montana. The fatality rate, however, remains high. In 1993, Montana's 58 percent alcohol-related fatality rate was the second worst in the nation. New regulations and stricter enforcement of existing laws are needed to change driver habits and substantially decrease the number of alcohol-related fatalities. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The goal of the DUI Task Force program is to modify the habits of drivers in the state of Montana and thereby decrease incidence of impaired driving. The objectives are to: þ Establish a task force of members from the Governor's Office and the Attorney General's Office to address impaired driving issues in Montana þ Guide the task force to solicit and incorporate citizens' input regarding government activities to curb impaired driving þ Conduct meetings of the task force to develop an impaired driving legislative agenda STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) performed an assessment of Montana's alcohol program. They recommended that the Montana Traffic Safety Division (TSD) establish an alcohol task force at the highest government level to address the high rates of alcohol-related fatalities. The TSD recruited Montana citizens to participate in discussions of impaired driving issues and provide legislative recommendations. The governor appointed 16 citizens from a variety of disciplines to serve on the task force. These citizens were recruited because of leadership roles they played in their communities or because of their involvement in local DUI task forces. Judges, lawyers, traffic safety professionals, educators and law enforcement officials were among those serving on the Governor's DUI Task Force. The TSD also obtained consulting services to review and prepare the issues in proper legislative form. RESULTS As a result of the DUI Task Force, three Senate bills were introduced in the 1995 legislative session to address the following: þ Enhanced penalties for persons convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs þ Treatment requirements for persons convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs þ Penalties regulating possession of open containers of alcohol All bills were publicly endorsed by the Governor and the Attorney General and were passed, with the exception of the legislation to regulate open containers of alcohol. Responsible Alcohol Management PENNSYLVANIA Program (R.A.M.P.) PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION In 1993, 596 Pennsylvanians were killed in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes and another 13,344 were injured. Most of these alcohol-related crashes involved individuals with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) greater than 0.15, well beyond the legal limit. There are few reliable statistics to indicate exactly where alcohol-impaired drivers consume alcohol prior to driving; however, a significant number of these offenders consume alcohol on licensed premises. Preventing service to minors and visibly intoxicated individuals reduces the frequency of alcohol-related injuries and fatalities. The Responsible Alcohol Management Program (R.A.M.P.), developed by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB), is an educational effort directed toward those who sell and serve alcoholic beverages. By providing ongoing training and technical assistance on all aspects of responsible alcoholic beverage service, R.A.M.P. aims to reduce the number of highway crashes and injuries. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The R.A.M.P. project aims to help alcoholic beverage licensees and their employees understand and apply concepts of responsible alcohol management. The primary objective is to reduce the number of highway crashes and injuries caused by impaired driving. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The PLCB's three regional R.A.M.P. representatives conduct workshops for licensees and their employees across the state. These workshops are offered free of charge to all licensees. The following strategies are part of the R.A.M.P. program: þ Dispersal of training manuals specifically designed for use in the program þ Use of training videos on recognizing the signs of intoxication and detecting fraudulent identification cards þ Distribution of posters and topical brochures þ Establishment of direct mail contact with more than 20,000 alcoholic beverage licensees, announcing the R.A.M.P. program þ Placement of R.A.M.P. informational displays in the PLCB's 15 wholesale Wine and Spirits Shoppes which deal exclusively with on-premise licensees þ Distribution of introductory material to licensees through the remaining 655 PLCB Wine and Spirit Shoppes þ Incorporation of R.A.M.P. workshops into the annual schedule of Licensees Information Seminars held throughout the state. RESULTS As a result of the R.A.M.P. program, 2,056 licensed establishments and 8,287 alcoholic beverage establishments were reached. Demand for the program continues to increase. Based upon results from the first year of operation, officials predict that in 1995-1996 approximately five to six thousand additional servers will be trained through on-premise workshops, county and statewide association meetings and PLCB Licensee Information Seminars. Pennsylvania's alcohol-related highway fatalities declined during 1994 to 523. Injuries resulting from these crashes decreased to 12,739. R.A.M.P. provides opportunities for alcoholic beverage licensees to become more active participants in continuing Pennsylvania's downward trend of alcohol-related crashes. Victims Impact Panel (VIP) of Oklahoma OKLAHOMA PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Drinking and driving remains the major killer of Oklahoma residents under the age of 30. In the late 1980s, over 30 percent of the state's more than 600 traffic fatalities were linked in some way to the use of alcohol or other drugs. Frequently, those involved in such crashes had a previous record of impaired driving offenses. Prior to 1990, the penalties for convicted DUI offenders included fines, suspended drivers licenses, community service or attendance at meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous. However, none of these measures provided the offender an opportunity to learn about the devastating results of combining alcohol and automobiles. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The primary goal of the Victims Impact Panel (VIP) program is to reduce the occurrence of drinking and driving offenses in Oklahoma. Specific objectives are to: þ Educate DUI offenders about the results of their actions þ Offer counseling to convicted DUI offenders þ Prevent DUI offenders from drinking and driving again STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES VIP is a court referral program which provides DUI offenders with first-hand accounts of the lives of people who have been victimized by drunk drivers. The court requires those convicted of impaired driving to attend a two-hour VIP presentation as part of their sentences. Panels are comprised of rescue professionals and people who have been injured or lost loved ones because of drunk drivers. Some panels include an offender who has killed or injured someone as a result of driving while impaired. Following the program, counselors work with offenders and offer assistance to those seeking help. Initially, the Oklahoma Legislature instituted a $5 fee to be paid by each offender to offset the cost of the program. This fee was subsequently increased to $15. At present, income generated through offender fees has surpassed the annual investment of the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, allowing the project to become self-sufficient. RESULTS During the first three years of the program, VIP reached more than 9,000 offenders through 18 different panels. Studies conducted after its first year showed a recidivism rate of less than 10 percent in Oklahoma County, where the program was initiated. During the 5 years that the VIP program has been in operation, drug and alcohol involvement in traffic fatalities has decreased to approximately 25 percent. As a result of the success of the adult offender panels, VIP has expanded its presentation to include teenaged drivers. Panels have been presented to more than 60,000 Oklahoma high school and college students in an effort to prevent tragedies resulting from impaired driving among new motorists. Publicity generated by this expansion has enabled the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office to promote public awareness of the effects of impaired driving. During 1994, 22 panels were established throughout Oklahoma. Low Manpower Sobriety Checkpoint Training NEVADA PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Sobriety checkpoints have proven to be a valuable tool in the war to rid roadways of motorists driving under the influence of alcohol. Nevada has only recently adopted this technique to apprehend drunk drivers, and its use is not yet widespread. Law enforcement agencies in rural Nevada find traditional sobriety checkpoint operations difficult to implement because: 1) It is manpower intensive, and some agencies simply have too few personnel, and 2) Most agencies do not have the financial resources to pay for the necessary manpower. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The primary goal of the Low Manpower Sobriety Checkpoint Training Program is to increase use and efficiency of sobriety checkpoints. Specific objectives include: þ Conducting regional low manpower sobriety checkpoint training sessions þ Training Nevada law enforcement agencies to conduct low manpower sobriety checkpoints þ Providing technical assistance to enforcement agencies that have completed the training and wish to initiate a similar program STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES Training is conducted on a regional basis to alleviate travel constraints for participating law enforcement agencies. As an incentive, sobriety testing equipment is provided to agencies electing to use low manpower sobriety checkpoints as part of their overall impaired driving countermeasure operations. Training sessions were conducted in Las Vegas, Elko and Reno during 1994. The Reno session was held in conjunction with the Training Safety Cities Conference in that city. Low Manpower Sobriety Checkpoint Training (cont'd) RESULTS Approximately 75 people representing 17 law enforcement agencies attended a training session in one of the three locations. As a result, seven law enforcement agencies are incorporating low manpower sobriety checkpoints as part of their standard impaired driving countermeasure operations. Overall success of the program will be reflected in the decreased annual percentage of motor vehicle crashes which involve alcohol. Comprehensive Server Training Program HAWAII PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Alcohol has been and continues to be a contributing factor in a high percentage of serious traffic crashes throughout Hawaii. Despite past efforts by state lawmakers to discourage impaired driving, the average percentage of alcohol-involved fatal crashes during the past ten years is 56 percent. This suggests that alcohol countermeasures employed to date are either ineffective or that their implementation has not been extensive enough to produce observable results. Drivers in the 15-24 age group are repeatedly overrepresented in impaired driving crashes. The illegal sale of alcoholic beverages to Hawaii's youth, which contributes significantly to that overrepresentation, must be prevented at the point of sale. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The primary goal of the Comprehensive Server Training Program is to decrease impaired driving crashes involving underage youth. Development and implementation of effective server training for managers and bartenders will assist in preventing the illegal sale of alcoholic beverages to Hawaii's youth. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The Liquor Commission of the City and County of Honolulu developed this mandatory five-hour server training program for all managers and bartenders. The comprehensive training uses videotapes, overhead slides, lectures, and discussions to focus on four key areas: þ Identifying and dealing with intoxicated persons ("Serving Alcohol With Care") þ Dealing with minors ("Alcohol, Minors, and You") þ Dangers of driving while intoxicated ("Under the Influence 2") Comprehensive Server Training Program (cont'd) þ Reviewing alcohol-related laws and rules The Honolulu Liquor Commission hired a server training instructor, developed a brochure that translated liquor control rules in three languages and produced a videotape on age identification checks. Training classes were conducted on the islands of Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai and Maui. Licensee facilities have access to the "Alcohol, Minors and You" videotape for use in employee training. The administrator of the server training program was the keynote speaker at the 1994 Spring Project/Graduation Workshop for parents and the Spring Youth Traffic Safety Institution, two projects aimed at the prevention of underage drinking. RESULTS From May 1993 to December 1994, over 6,000 managers and bartenders attended the server training program. The administrator of the program was appointed to the state DUI Task Force and made presentations on underage drinking to over 500 students in two high schools. The program has substantially increased awareness of the consequences of underage drinking and has received positive feedback from attendees. Suspended Driver's License Enforcement Program CALIFORNIA PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION For a number of years, the Santa Rosa Police Department has aggressively enforced a variety of traffic violations and, in particular, has focused on those driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. During the three year period from 1989 through 1991, the number of DUI arrests declined as the total number of arrests for driving with a revoked or suspended drivers license increased dramatically. In 1991 there were approximately 1,900 arrests for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended or revoked drivers license. An evaluation of the prosecution process revealed that approximately 25 percent of these cases were dismissed; the remaining 75 percent either plead or were found guilty which resulted in an average fine of $400. Infrequently, jail sentences were imposed, averaging one to five days. Forty percent of those arrested had at least one prior arrest for the same violation. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The Suspended Driver's License Enforcement Program sought to implement a plan that would immediately remove drivers from the road who are arrested for driving on a suspended or revoked driver's license. This plan included higher conviction rates, stricter sanctions and increased participation between law enforcement and court officials to minimize delays and complications in the prosecution process. Specifically, the program seeks to attain an 80 percent conviction rate in the base year, seizing a minimum of 400 vehicles. It also seeks to reduce the hit and run collision rate by 10 percent. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The program involved the development of a traffic safety task force composed of public and private sector members to guide the activities of the initiative. The program then conducted a strong driver awareness and public awareness campaign through newspapers, radio and television media and information posters. The campaign informed the public of problems associated with suspended license drivers and the efforts being made by the police department to remedy these problems. In the planning stages of this program, the Chief of Police met with the Municipal Court judges and the District Attorney of Sonoma County to establish a vertical prosecution unit to expedite prosecution of violators. The Chief proposed a program which called for the immediate impoundment of a vehicle being driven by a violator with a suspended license. The vehicle would then be held as evidence while the criminal complaint against the driver is fast tracked through the District Attorney's Office to the Municipal Court for adjudication. Upon a successful adjudication of the case, the driver's vehicle would be ordered impounded retroactive to the date of arrest for up to six months for the first offense and up to twelve months for the second offense. At the conclusion of the impoundment period, vehicles not redeemed by the registered owner have a lien of sale placed against them to recover the storage costs. To facilitate impoundment, the City of Santa Rosa Police Department established a contract with a towing and storage agency capable of handling the long term storage and maintenance of a large number of vehicles. RESULTS As of July 1, 1994, the Suspended Driver's License Enforcement Program exceeded its projected enforcement and collision reduction goals. Of the 749 cases of vehicle seizure, 51 percent had more than one active suspension at the time of enforcement. Statistics have shown an overall reduction in related problems with the individual reductions noted as: Injury Collisions 7% Fatal Collisions 25% Property Damage Only Collisions 11% Hit and Run Collisions 19% The program has been featured in Time magazine and on ABC television in a national feature hosted by Tom Brokaw entitled "NOW". Roadside Safety Checks ILLINOIS PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Efforts to deter motorists from driving under the influence of alcohol are undermined by a widespread belief that the probability of arrest is negligible. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that the odds against an alcohol-impaired driver getting caught are as high as 1,000 to 1. Increased human resource demands for other important police services, on both state and local levels, adds to the severity of the situation. Information available from NHTSA reveals that 42 percent of all drivers involved in speed-related fatal crashes had a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of .10 or greater. Among drivers involved in fatal crashes nationwide, those who have been drinking use safety belts substantially less often than those who have not. This significantly increases their chances of suffering serious or fatal injuries if they are involved in a crash. It is imperative that measures effective in removing impaired drivers from the roadways, and deterring such behavior among the remainder of the motoring public, be employed to achieve essential improvements in highway safety. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The goal of the Roadside Safety Checks Program is to reduce the incidence of driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and/or other drugs and to monitor and increase enforcement of the state's occupant protection laws. Objectives of the program include: þ To identify persons who are operating a motor vehicle with defective equipment, without a valid drivers license or permit, or while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs þ To promote the safety of those using public highways, through public information efforts associated with checkpoint activities STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES This effort combines the forces of the Illinois State Police Force with selected local law enforcement agencies and the Secretary of State's Police to combat the incidence of impaired driving. The local agency officers receive instruction in the proper procedures for conducting safety checks and participate with state troopers at selected locations throughout the state. Officers are "hired back" during their off hours to participate in enforcement details at times and locations which are chosen based on the frequency of alcohol-related crashes, tavern density, and other factors as determined jointly by the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Division of Traffic Safety and the police agencies involved. In addition to the actual enforcement, a public information campaign is designed and conducted to advise the general public of the potential hazards of drinking and driving as well as the likelihood of being detected by law enforcement officers. RESULTS During 1993, the Illinois State Police conducted 47 checks, and of these 22 were conducted in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies. These roadside safety checks resulted in 399 alcohol-related citations and 807 safety belt citations. Additionally, the Chicago Police Department, the largest local police department in Illinois, conducts checkpoints twice a month. In 1992 these Chicago efforts resulted in 25,635 vehicles passing through checkpoints with 5,235 enforcement actions being taken. A total of 164 DUI arrests, 176 open liquor violations and 781 safety belt violations have been issued. Traffic Accident Reduction Goals and Enforcement Techniques (TARGET) NEVADA PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION National studies have shown that drivers with serious substance abuse problems drive motor vehicles on a regular basis, endanger the public and stand little chance of being detected and apprehended. Citizen reporting of erratic drivers has existed in Nevada for several years. Thousands of calls are received by police dispatchers each year, but only 22 percent of the reported vehicles are actually located by officers. Limited resources severely restrict law enforcement's ability to initiate innovative impaired driving countermeasures. The Traffic Accident Reduction Goals and Enforcement Techniques (TARGET) Project encompasses Clark County, a high risk area for traffic and impaired driving crashes. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES This project aims to remove the problem impaired driver from the road and to increase the quality of life for all Las Vegas citizens. Specific project objectives are to: þ Reduce the incidence of alcohol-impaired driving within the jurisdiction of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department þ Identify, track and locate a minimum of 750 potential repeat offenders as reported through citizen calls STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The overall strategy is to collect data from citizen calls and establish a computer database from which a detailed analysis can be conducted. Vehicle license numbers, description, location, time and date are recorded. A letter is then sent to the registered owner informing him/her of the facts surrounding the report received by the police. As more reports are received concerning the same vehicle, more stringent actions are taken by the police department. This includes a demand by the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety to show proof of financial responsibility. A significant amount of data is being collected that was previously discarded when the vehicle could not be located by officers on patrol. RESULTS The project is still in its infancy, but initial reports are positive. To date, approximately 30,000 entries involving 4,500 vehicles and 1,200 repeat vehicles have been included in the database. Letters have been sent to 216 registered owners and 190 individuals have been identified as wanted by warrant. Thirteen TARGET suspects have been cited for various violations, including DUI. A significant element of this project is the sliding scale of support which will lead to self-sufficiency in three years. Presiding Judge Municipal Courts DWI Project NEW JERSEY PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION New Jersey has among the toughest DWI laws in the nation. Its penalties include a minimum 48-hour detention period in an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center and fines and surcharges in excess of $3,000. From 1989 to 1992 there was a 5.5 percent increase in contested DWI cases in New Jersey. In addition, the state's chief justice required all DWI cases to be disposed of within 60 days, even though the existing state average was 100 days. The increased drain on the court system from these two factors required a comprehensive assessment of the adjudication process and the development of significant countermeasures and quantifiable evaluation criteria. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The goal of the Presiding JudgeþMunicipal Courts DWI Project is to decrease the backlog of DWI cases in the municipal courts and reduce the number of days it takes to dispose of DWI cases from approximately 100 to 60. Specific objectives for the program include: þ Changing the method by which police officers determine court appearance dates þ Standardizing adjudication policies in each jurisdiction þ Creating a tracking system for cases within the Automated Traffic System (ATS) database þ Delivering training programs for municipal judges STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The project's main activity was to group 14 state vicinages into six presiding judge regions. Each presiding judge of the municipal courts within the region visits those courts requiring special attention. The presiding judge provides oversight, technical assistance, training and techniques for case management to the municipal court judges under his/her jurisdiction. The ATS, which contains data from municipalities comprising 70 percent of the state's population, provided certain necessary data elements to the judges and director of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). A database was then established to track individual cases or cumulative progress for each municipality, vicinage or region. Approximately every six weeks the presiding judges assigned to the project meet with the project director at the AOC. During that meeting they review the progress of municipal courts, receive training in presentation techniques and discuss additional remedies for the DWI backlog problem. RESULTS Although the program is still in its early stages, positive results are already being seen. As of May 1994, the statewide average case time from arrest to disposition was 80 days. This represents an 18 percent reduction from last year, when the average was 98 days. The number of cases in backlog (over 60 days, with no warrants) has been reduced from 5,296 or 52.2 percent of total cases in March 1993 to 3,534 or 46.4 percent of cases in March 1994. Traffic Accident Reduction Goals and Enforcement Techniques (TARGET) NEVADA PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION National studies have shown that drivers with serious substance abuse problems drive motor vehicles on a regular basis, endanger the public and stand little chance of being detected and apprehended. Citizen reporting of erratic drivers has existed in Nevada for several years. Thousands of calls are received by police dispatchers each year, but only 22 percent of the reported vehicles are actually located by officers. Limited resources severely restrict law enforcement's ability to initiate innovative impaired driving countermeasures. The Traffic Accident Reduction Goals and Enforcement Techniques (TARGET) Project encompasses Clark County, a high risk area for traffic and impaired driving crashes. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES This project aims to remove the problem impaired driver from the road and to increase the quality of life for all Las Vegas citizens. Specific project objectives are to: þ Reduce the incidence of alcohol-impaired driving within the jurisdiction of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department þ Identify, track and locate a minimum of 750 potential repeat offenders as reported through citizen calls STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The overall strategy is to collect data from citizen calls and establish a computer database from which a detailed analysis can be conducted. Vehicle license numbers, description, location, time and date are recorded. A letter is then sent to the registered owner informing him/her of the facts surrounding the report received by the police. As more reports are received concerning the same vehicle, more stringent actions are taken by the police department. This includes a demand by the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety to show proof of financial responsibility. A significant amount of data is being collected that was previously discarded when the vehicle could not be located by officers on patrol. RESULTS The project is still in its infancy, but initial reports are positive. To date, approximately 30,000 entries involving 4,500 vehicles and 1,200 repeat vehicles have been included in the database. Letters have been sent to 216 registered owners and 190 individuals have been identified as wanted by warrant. Thirteen TARGET suspects have been cited for various violations, including DUI. A significant element of this project is the sliding scale of support which will lead to self-sufficiency in three years. DUI Prosecution Coordination Project HAWAII PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Hawaii's geographic layout provides a unique challenge to standardization and coordination efforts in the enforcement of the DUI laws. This challenge is further complicated by the jurisdictional boundaries that make up the state. Duplication of resources in the area of training and enforcement are but one of the areas where standardization and coordination would greatly improve the effectiveness of the DUI prosecution function in the criminal justice system. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The intent of the DUI Prosecution Coordination Project is to improve law enforcement performance in its efforts to enforce DUI laws. Specific objectives include the following: þ Coordination and development of a statewide, cross-county DUI/Negligent Homicide training manual; establishment of a clearinghouse to compile and distribute materials and information on enforcement and prosecution trends in the area of DUI/Negligent Homicide þ Coordination and development of training programs to train law enforcement personnel in the technical, scientific and trial aspects of DUI offenses in which most new deputies and officers are deficient þ Coordination and development of workshops and conferences at both state and local levels STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES To address the issue of coordinating law enforcement efforts through training, a statewide DUI prosecution coordinator was hired. The coordinator is responsible for increasing the effectiveness of the DUI prosecution function in Hawaii's criminal justice system. The following activities are incorporated into the program: þ Development of statewide computer based training modules, a statewide DUI training manual, and establishment of a statewide clearinghouse and statewide resource bank þ Coordination and organization of quarterly workshops þ Development and implementation of annual DUI/Vehicular Homicide Strategic Enforcement Solution conferences þ Development and implementation of statewide deputy training seminars In the future, the coordinator will develop a state-level technical training system and an "informational superhighway internet" for the counties' prosecuting attorneys that will, in the long run, provide a link to other interested law enforcement agencies and related public interest groups throughout the nation. RESULTS Hawaii's first annual DUI/Vehicular Homicide conference was held in 1994 and was attended by approximately 100 people including law enforcement personnel and community interest group members. Two workshops for upper management law enforcement officials and a two day training session for deputy prosecuting attorneys were also successfully implemented. Several of the activities have helped to bring the county law enforcement agencies' representatives together through more contact, communication and interaction at the working level. These increased cooperative efforts have helped to standardize strategies among the agencies for a more uniform and consistent approach to DUI law enforcement throughout the state. Injury Prevention Program ILLINOIS PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of unintentional injury and death in Illinois, and teenagers between the ages of 16 and 24 are disproportionately represented in these crashes. For example, in 1992, although youths were only 15.6 percent of all licensed drivers they comprised 30.2 percent of drivers killed. Furthermore, more than 48 percent of the youth killed who were tested had a positive blood alcohol level. Older persons also experience a higher than average risk of being involved in a crash. In fact, by the year 2020, traffic deaths for those over 65 years old will account for 17 percent of fatalities. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The goal of this program is to create a cooperative effort that merges the injury prevention activities of three agencies: Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Think First Foundation and Emergency Nurses Cancel Alcohol- Related Emergencies (ENCARE) Program. The combined resources of these organizations will result in increased and improved targeted prevention activities for teenage and senior citizen drivers statewide. STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The Think First Risky Business program for high school juniors and seniors targeted approximately 8,000 high school students for the 1993-1994 school year. The program addresses such common risk-taking behaviors as drinking and driving, and riding without a fastened safety belt. It also uses young crash victims' descriptions of their crashes to supplement the video and lecture portion of the program. The ENCARE programs contain two elements. One element targets teens and the effects of alcohol on driving ability; the Take Care curriculum addresses common concerns related to providing services to senior citizens. These concerns include the increased effects of prescription and over-the-counter drugs in combination with alcohol, decreased reaction time and driving skills, and the increased severity of motor vehicle-related injuries for older adults. Three new ENCARE chapters will be established to provide services for the southern part of the state. To further expand the capacity of the program, ENCARE nurses are also trained in the Risky Business curriculum. Therefore, a greater number of health professionals are available to conduct programs and meet requests of communities statewide. RESULTS The 1994 fiscal year was the first year in which the integrated injury prevention program was operating. Although results of the programs effectiveness are not yet available, early increases in the amount of program activity and number of requests indicate that the combined approach is working. Teens of Northeast (TONE) Intervention Program ARKANSAS PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION In 1991, more than one-half (53 percent) of all traffic fatalities on Arkansas highways were alcohol-related, and studies indicate that young people historically have been overrepresented in such statistics. For example, results of a 1990 survey of 500 high school students conducted by Arkansas State University found that during the previous year approximately 50 percent of Arkansas youths had ridden in a motor vehicle driven by a teenager who was alcohol or other drug impaired. Forty-four percent admitted to drinking or using other drugs within the past year, and 39 percent said they had used alcohol within the past month. The survey further revealed that when teens use alcohol, they are usually with their school friends. In fact, 45 percent of the students surveyed stated that their primary source of information about alcohol and other drugs was their friends. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The Teens of Northeast (TONE) Arkansas program hosts an annual conference to train students and adults in how to recognize, reduce and prevent substance abuse and related behavior among young people. The conference's core program, Teens Are Concerned (TAC), was founded in 1983 by a small group of students who wanted to take action against the growing problem of impaired driving among their peers. Funding support was provided through a grant from the Crowley's Ridge Development Council: Prevention Resource Center, a statewide prevention service of the Arkansas Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention (ADAP) The goals of the TONE conference are to: þ Equip students and adults with information, skills and creative ideas þ Provide students and adults with training in strategy development, networking and motivation techniques þ Address issues of personal growth, drug prevention, and communication þ Inspire participants to continue the workshop momentum and use its information to start an innovative TONE project in their school or community STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES TONE uses multiple strategies to accomplish its prevention goals. Because peers are an important source of information for teenagers about alcohol and other drugs, young people play key roles in TONE as sponsors, staff, group leaders and presenters. TONE provides training of trainers for these young people. The conference consists of two days of extensive training for approximately 300 students and 80 adults. Conference activities include workshops as well as small group and general sessions. Information about substance abuse and related issues is made available and discussions focus on promoting and carrying out chemical-free activities such as Project Graduation, drug-free youth groups, occupant protection safety skits and programs to improve communication and problem-solving skills and to raise self-esteem. TONE also taps into the skills and energy of its participants for creative approaches to information dissemination, audience- tailored presentation styles and networking activities. The highlight of the conference is a drug-free social event planned by the students. Adults attend separate sessions that focus on working with "youth-involved" prevention projects and coalition building. They learn how to maximize the effectiveness of TONE by implementing tailored prevention programs run by youth in their communities and schools. Exemplary programs are recognized each fall at the follow-up TONE Summit. RESULTS About 40 TONE youth groups exist in Northeast Arkansas, promoting drug-free lifestyles. Seventy-seven school districts in 29 Arkansas counties have participated in TONE. During 1991-1992, TONE-trained youths shared their prevention information with 25,000 elementary and junior and senior high students. Because of TONE training, 20 schools held drug-free proms or celebrations. Crime Lab Fund Tracking NEW MEXICO PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION One way in which governments can support public programs such as drunk and drugged driving prevention efforts is by setting aside funds for a specific program category or use. Yet although such earmarking of funds may ensure that technical parts of a program are carried out as mandated, it does not always guarantee that systems of fiscal accountability will be put in place. In an effort to establish a successful self-funding mechanism for its local community DWI prevention efforts, the New Mexico Traffic Safety Bureau sought to incorporate into the program a system of financial management and accountability for maximum efficiency of grant funds collection. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The primary goal of the Crime Lab Fund Tracking project was to improve tracking of Community DWI Prevention resources so that funds for local prevention programs would be maximized. Prior to the development of this tracking system, substantial undercollecting of revenues was common. Specific project objectives are to: þ Train and assist 30 clerks in magistrate and municipal courts to track assessment and collection of the $75 Community DWI Prevention and $35 crime lab fees þ Monitor collection efforts of all courts monthly to determine progress and identify problems þ Provide monthly reports of fees collected by the courts to the Traffic Safety Bureau þ Provide three presentations on request to community DWI task forces regarding court processes and fee collection STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES The tracking project is a program of comprehensive action which includes training of and individual consultation with judges and clerks, careful fund tracking, reporting and followup, changes in existing procedures, and community education and involvement. The funding was initially planned for two years, after which the State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) was scheduled to provide resources for continuing the program. Activities associated with the project include tracking collections by the individual courts, and the production and distribution of materials required for training and management of the Crime Lab Fund Tracking program. Because the project surpassed its objectives in its first year, the AOC was able to end the effort at that point and continue using its revised procedures to maintain revenues at increased levels. The AOC used project funds to create a new management analyst position to update procedures and oversee all work involved. RESULTS The Crime Lab Fund Tracking effort has been extremely successful, with an annual increase in revenues of approximately $260,000. In addition, training of court personnel and finance officers has surpassed initial goals, as indicated below. Performance Indicators Planned Completed Clerks trained 30 82 Judges trained 0 82 City finance officers 0 50 Monitoring reports 12 31 Fee reports 12 1 Presentations 32 Cops in Shops TEXAS PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Minors under the age of 21 who drive while under the influence of alcohol are a major contributor to Texas traffic crashes and fatalities. During 1994, 15.6 percent of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) fatalities in Texas were under 21 years old, yet minors represented only 6.2 percent of the DWI arrests made by the Texas Department of Public Safety. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES The goal of the Cops In Shops project is to restrict access by minors to alcoholic beverages at "off-premise" licensed establishments, and to reduce the number of minors involved in alcohol-related traffic crashes. Specific objectives include: þ Reducing minors' DWI involvement in motor vehicle crashes by 10 percent in 24 counties throughout Texas þ Distributing program information and materials to a minimum of 4,200 "off-premise" sales licensed establishments in the targeted counties þ Working pro-actively with at least 1,650 "off-premise" sales licensed establishments to arrest and/or issue citations to anyone under 21 years old who attempts to purchase alcoholic beverages STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES Cops in Shops is a federally-funded program in which Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) agents pose as either employees or customers in retail establishments licensed for off-premise sales of alcoholic beverages. There are currently 24 counties participating in the program. Agents working in the Cops in Shops program spend four hours training clerks in the retail establishments. During this time, the agents lend their expertise in detecting false identification, identifying characteristics of minors attempting purchase of alcoholic beverages, and detecting intoxicated individuals. This four hour training period greatly enhances the ability of store clerks to prevent the sale of alcoholic beverages to minors. RESULTS Over 11,500 retail establishments in the participating counties have received information about the Cops In Shops program. Each month over 120 of these establishments actually have TABC agents posing as employees or customers. Since October 1, 1994 over 5,947 citations have been issued during Cops in Shops sessions at 1,311 retail locations. Violations detected range from attempted purchase of alcohol by a minor to delivery of crack cocaine. Travis County, the pilot area for this project, experienced a 20 percent reduction in alcohol-related injuries and fatalities in the 15 to 20 age group during the first six months the program was in operation.
