DMV Impact on Highway Safety of Multiple Driver License Withdrawal Systems Research.

2002PDFTech ReportSPR-0092-01-08Driver licensesRevocationSuspensionsTraffic violatorsPoint demerit systemsImpactsGraduated licensingHabirual Traffic OffenderHTOWisconsinWisconsin. Dept. of TransportationFerreri, JackFerreri, J.Peltier, JamesPeltier, J.Knupp & Watson, Inc.NTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Highway SafetyNTL-SAFETY AND SECURITY-Human FactorsNTL-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATION-HIGHWAY/ROAD TRANSPORTATIONUS Transportation CollectionKnowledge/understanding of the Points System/Administrative Withdrawal System is relatively low. The understanding of the Points System by Wisconsin drivers seems to be on par with drivers' knowledge of the Points System in their respective states. A high percentage of people drive after their operating privileges are suspended or revoked. (probably more than 70%) They indicate that a need to get to work is the greatest cause for driving after withdrawal. More people know about the Points System than the Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO) System. Is the knowledge of the Points System sufficient to be a deterrent to risky driving behaviors? Habitual Traffic Offenders are a problem, and many experts are resigned to the belief that solutions might be difficult, if not impossible to find. Most HTO's, themselves included, often don't think of the consequences of their behaviors, and the awareness of the possibility of a five-year revocation for HTO may be limited to those who have actually experienced the process. Is the knowledge of the HTO system sufficient to be a deterrent to risky driving behaviors? The cost of insurance may be a deterrent to risky driving behaviors, and there is increasing support of counting out-of-state violations in Wisconsin's Administrative Withdrawal System. There is also increasing support for Graduated Driver Licensing programs. Solid support also exists for having mandated penalties, or at a minimum, imposing penalties that are not open too to much creative interpretation. Progressive penalties have solid support, with special attention given to fines and jail time. (The study does not indicated if these progressive penalties would exceed what is already mandated in Wisconsin for more dangerous driving behaviors)