Update of vehicle sanction laws and their application, volume one : summary

NHTSA - Behavioral Safety Researchhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15256912008PDFTech ReportVoas, Robert B.McKnight, A. ScottFalb, TimFell, James C.Pacific Institute for Research and EvaluationUnited States. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationStewart, KathrynSweedler, Barry M.United States. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationUnited StatesIntoxicationDrunk drivingAlcohol useAlcohol testsAlcohol breath testsAlcohol ignition interlock devicesDriver licensesConfiscationRevocationSuspensionsDOT HR 811 028ADTNH22-98-D-35079, Task 14Marvin LevyBecause of the substantial number of driving while intoxicated (DWI) offenders driving illegally with suspended licenses and the limited enforcement resources available to dealwith the problem, many States and the Federal government have begun to enact legislation directed at the vehicles owned by offenders to limit their illicit driving. Such policies fall into three broad categories: (1) programs that require special plates on the vehicles of DWI offenders and/or confiscate the vehicle plates and vehicle registration; (2) devices installed in the vehicle that prevent its operation if the driver has been drinking (alcohol ignition interlock); and (3) programs that impound, immobilize, confiscate or forfeit the vehicle. This study updates as of the end of 2004 a 1992NHTSA study of vehicle sanctions. The 1992 study reported that 32 States had laws providing for various vehicle sanctions; however, in most of these States these sanctions were rarely used. This current study updates that effortwith a contemporary overview of vehicle sanction laws and their application as of December 2004. It goes beyond the earlier study by reporting on information from other countries, incorporating a review of ignition interlock devices (not considered in the earlier study) and providing amore recent list of vehicle sanctions on a State-by-State basis. This report, compared to the 1992 report, identified 131 pieces of legislationwith all 50 States having at least one vehicle sanction lawin 2004.Although it was difficult to obtain quantitative information on the application of vehicle sanctions, itwas documented that at least 51 of the 131 laws are used regularly. Alcohol ignition interlock laws were enacted most often in the States (43), followed by vehicle forfeiture laws (31). Half of the States (25) reported having alcohol ignition interlock laws thatwere actively being applied on at least some of the eligible offenders. There are a number of barriers to the implementation of vehicle sanctions. These are discussed along with suggestions for improvements in their application. This is Volume I of a two-volume report: Volume I synthesizes and summarizes the findings; whereas Volume II describes vehicle sanctions status for each State as of the end of 2004.129