General deterrence effects of U.S. statutory DUI fine and jail penalties: long-term follow-up in 32 states.
BACKGROUND
We examined effects of state statutory changes in DUI fine or jail penalties for firsttime offenders from 1976 to 2002.


METHODS
A quasi-experimental time-series design was used (n=324 monthly observations). Four outcome measures of drivers involved in alcohol-related fatal crashes are: single-vehicle nighttime, low BAC (0.01-0.07g/dl), medium BAC (0.08-0.14g/dl), high BAC (>/=0.15g/dl). All analyses of BAC outcomes included multiple imputation procedures for cases with missing data. Comparison series of non-alcohol-related crashes were included to efficiently control for effects of other factors. Statistical models include state-specific Box-Jenkins ARIMA models, and pooled general linear mixed models.


RESULTS
Twenty-six states implemented mandatory minimum fine policies and 18 states implemented mandatory minimum jail penalties. Estimated effects varied widely from state to state. Using variance weighted meta-analysis methods to aggregate results across states, mandatory fine policies are associated with an average reduction in fatal crash involvement by drivers with BAC>/=0.08g/dl of 8% (averaging 13 per state per year). Mandatory minimum jail policies are associated with a decline in single-vehicle nighttime fatal crash involvement of 6% (averaging 5 per state per year), and a decline in low-BAC cases of 9% (averaging 3 per state per year). No significant effects were observed for the other outcome measures.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall pattern of results suggests a possible effect of mandatory fine policies in some states, but little effect of mandatory jail policies.
Wagenaar
Alexander C
AC
University of Florida, College of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology & Health Policy Research and Institute for Child Health Policy, 1329 SW 16th St. Rm 5130, Box 100177, Gainesville, FL 32610-0177, USA. wagenaar@ufl.edu
Maldonado-Molina
Mildred M
MM
Erickson
Darin J
DJ
Ma
Linan
L
Tobler
Amy L
AL
Komro
Kelli A
KA
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D035846:Law Enforcement; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016495:Police; D011330:Prisons / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011640:Public Policy; D014481:United States