Healthy People 2010 - With Annotations

Chapter 26

Adverse Consequences of Substance Use and Abuse

26-24. Extend administrative license revocation laws, or programs of equal effectiveness, for persons who drive under the influence of intoxicants.

Target: All States and the District of Columbia.

Baseline: 41 States and the District of Columbia had administrative license revocation laws for persons who drive under the influence of intoxicants in 1998.

Target setting method: Total coverage.

Data source: DOT, NHTSA.

Administrative license revocation (ALR) has proven to be a successful deterrent to driving while under the influence of intoxicants. ALR laws provide for administrative action separate from the judicial process that follows when a person is arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Colorado, Illinois, Maine, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Utah observed significant reductions in alcohol-related fatal crashes following the implementation of ALR laws. A 1991 study examined the costs and benefits of the procedure and found that reinstatement fees assessed to offenders more than covered the expenses of the program and that States also benefitted from the cost savings of fewer nighttime crashes. Another study found that ALR reduced fatal crashes an average of 9 percent during late-night hours when drivers are most likely to have been drinking alcohol. As a result of an ALR publicity campaign, the rate of fatal crashes during late-night hours was further reduced.(121)

Read Overview of Injuries

Back to HP 2010 Injury Objectives Page

Last modified: 15-Mar-2000.