Survey of DWI Courts

Block, Alan W. · 2016 · ROSA P / United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Office of Behavioral Safety Research

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Summary

This report presents the findings of a 2015 web-based survey conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to characterize the operations of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Courts and hybrid DWI/Drug Courts in the United States. The study was motivated by the need to understand how these problem-solving courts function before designing a formal evaluation program. While Drug Courts have substantial research backing, DWI Courts—designed to address the root causes of impaired driving through accountability and long-term treatment for repeat or high-BAC offenders—lacked comparable data regarding their operational characteristics and effectiveness. NHTSA collaborated with the National Center for DWI Courts to identify programs and contracted with Avar Consulting, Inc., to manage the online data collection. The survey targeted 473 identified courts, requiring a minimum of five active DWI cases for full eligibility. Of the 156 initial responses, 105 programs completed the questionnaire in its entirety. The survey covered general information, program structure, operations, treatment services, drug testing, and courtroom processes. The results indicate that DWI Court participants are predominantly non-Hispanic White, English-speaking, and employed full-time, with the majority aged 30–49. Most programs serve rural areas and have relatively small caseloads; the median number of active DWI participants was 25, and the median program capacity was 40. While most programs reported having sufficient capacity for eligible offenders, those with excess demand typically selected participants based on justice system processing order or clinical assessment. Program duration averaged a median of 17 months, structured into at least three phases with weekly or bi-weekly team staffing meetings. Treatment services were primarily provided by independent providers and included counseling, support groups, and relapse prevention, often integrating mental health care for co-occurring disorders. Participants underwent frequent drug and alcohol testing, particularly in initial phases, with sanctions for non-compliance and rewards for achievements being standard practices. Graduation rates were modest, with nearly two-thirds of DWI Courts graduating fewer than 20 participants in 2014. The survey provides a foundational baseline of DWI Court operations, highlighting their focus on comprehensive behavioral change for high-risk offenders. By documenting the prevalence of specific operational components—such as phased treatment, frequent testing, and interdisciplinary team involvement—the report informs future research designs aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of these courts in reducing alcohol-impaired driving and crash fatalities.

Key finding

The median number of active DWI participants in responding courts was 25, and the median time spent in the program before graduation was 17 months.

Methodology

survey

Sample size: 105

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• dui enforcement