RTSSC Research Reports
Report Details

Title:	The Effects of Regular Alcohol Monitoring on North Dakota Impaired Drivers
Authors:	Andrew Kubas, Kimberly Vachal, and Donald Malchose
Publication Date:	Sep 2018
Report #:	DP-300
TRID #:	01685402
Keywords:	alcohol tests, before and after studies, crash rates, driver monitoring, drunk drivers, drunk driving, high risk drivers, recidivism, safety programs, state laws, traffic citations
Type:	Research Report – Department Publications

Abstract

The 24/7 Sobriety Program is an intervention strategy mandating that impaired driving offenders remain sober as a condition of bond or pre-trial release. The goal is to monitor the most at-risk offenders in North Dakota and require that these individuals remain sober in order to keep roadways safe from hazardous drivers. As a component of the program, offenders are required to submit to twice-a-day blood alcohol concentration tests, ankle bracelet monitoring, drug patches, or urinalysis as a monitoring technique. If a program participant fails to remain sober, the individual is sent directly to jail. In 2013, House Bill 1302 – which mandated longer enrollment periods for repeat DUI offenders – went into effect. This project seeks to understand three areas: if before-and-after deterrent effects arise upon program enrollment; if House Bill 1302 had a stronger deterrent effect on program participants; and, if some factors contribute to recidivism more than others. Results show that participants significantly improve crash and citation metrics after enrolling in the program. Longer sentencing periods have stronger deterrent effects on DUI-related citations. Individuals participating in the program more than once have higher odds of relapsing into impaired driving behavior. Additional treatment for these individuals may be appropriate as they likely represent the North Dakota driver population which has issues with alcohol abuse and self-control.

How to Cite

Kubas, Andrew, Kimberly Vachal, and Donald Malchose. The Effects of Regular Alcohol Monitoring on North Dakota Impaired Drivers, DP-300. North Dakota State University, Fargo: Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute, 2018.