Alcohol Safety Program Progress. Volume 2, State Program Progress

NHTSA · 1979 · ROSA P / United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Summary

This document, published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 1979, serves as Volume II of the *Alcohol Safety Program Progress* report. It addresses the progress of state-level alcohol countermeasure programs initiated following the launch of a major national program in 1970. The primary motivation was to combat drunk driving as a leading factor in traffic crashes by stimulating states and communities to expand coverage and improve the effectiveness of individual efforts. The report focuses on general indications of progress established since 1970, recognizing that specific improvements are continually emerging across various jurisdictions. The report details the implementation of Alcohol Safety Action Projects (ASAPs), which formed the nucleus of the NHTSA program. Thirty-five federally funded ASAPs operated across states, utilizing a systems approach that surrounded problem drinkers with countermeasures for identification, punishment, rehabilitation, and enforcement. Funding was derived from federal-aid highway safety funds (Section 402), grants from the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, and the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, with successful programs later transitioning to local and state revenues. The document summarizes progress by state, drawing on material obtained by NHTSA Regional Offices. It covers specific initiatives in states such as Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, among others. Key findings include significant increases in drunk driving arrests and the expansion of enforcement capabilities. For instance, Alabama saw DWI arrests rise from 18,522 in 1970 to 35,353 in 1976, while Arizona’s arrests increased from 6,696 in 1971 to 28,000 in 1976. States implemented selective enforcement patrols, often targeting high-accident sites and critical time periods. Technological advancements included the widespread purchase of breath-testing equipment and video taping devices, alongside extensive training for law enforcement officers. Judicial systems improved through better presentence investigations (PSI), computerized driving history records, and specialized training for judges and prosecutors. Rehabilitation efforts expanded, with many states establishing court referral programs, educational courses for offenders, and comprehensive treatment facilities. Education initiatives included mandatory alcohol units in driver education curricula and public information campaigns using media and public service announcements. The significance of these findings lies in the demonstration of a coordinated, multi-agency approach to reducing alcohol-related traffic fatalities. The report highlights the shift from fragmented efforts to integrated systems involving law enforcement, judiciary, health, and education sectors. By documenting the expansion of countermeasures—from selective enforcement and improved adjudication to rehabilitation and public education—the report provides evidence that federal funding and structured programs effectively stimulated state-level action. This progress underscores the viability of the systems approach in addressing the drunk driver problem, offering a framework for continued improvement and the transition of these programs to sustainable local and state funding models.

Key finding

The document provides a descriptive inventory of state program progress and administrative activities rather than presenting a unified quantitative research finding.

Methodology

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Topics

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• dui enforcement
• alcohol detection systems

Information type

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• Applied Guidance: countermeasure evaluation