Evaluation of Minnesota\u2019s Vehicle Plate Impoundment Law for Impaired Drivers

NHTSA - Behavioral Safety Researchhttps://doi.org/10.21949/15257712011PDFResearch PaperLeaf, W. A.Preusser, D. F.Preusser Research Group, Inc.United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationUnited States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationMinnesotaBlood alcohol levelsCountermeasuresDrunk driversEvaluationImpaired driversLicense platesRecidivismSanctionsImpoundmentDOT HS 811 351DTNH22-02-D-35121, Task Order 05Vehicle sanctions \u2013 such as vehicle impoundment \u2013 have been found to be effective in reducing recidivism among drivers arrested for DWI; however, their application is cumbersome and generally infrequent. A far less cumbersome strategy is to seize the vehicle license plate while leaving the actual vehicle in the owner\u2019s hands. Beginning in 1998, Minnesota implemented license plate impoundment for first-offense drivers whose blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .20 or higher. DWI recidivism and Driving While Suspended violations were compared for first offenders with BACs of .17-.19 (no plate impoundment) and first offenders with BACs of .20-.22 (very similar BACs but with plate impoundment). The results indicated substantial reductions in DWI recidivism and Driving While Suspended violations for those drivers whose vehicle license plates were impounded. Effects were strongest among younger drivers (ages 21-34) during the period of plate impoundment (up to one year). Some effects persisted for as much as three years. Vehicle plate impoundment was seen as an effective means to reduce DWI recidivism and reduce driving by suspended drivers during the term of their license suspension.129