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Abstract: 

The authors have brought quantitative evidence to an issue raised by anti-drunk driving advocates from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to the Century Council concerning the hardcore or alcoholic drunk driver. The traditional general deterrence model used so successfully for over a quarter of a century against the social drinker and first time offender has little deterrence effect on the alcoholic who revels in risk taking, is in denial, and is in many cases exhibiting egomania while professing low self esteem. However, the alcoholic correctly measures the chance of apprehension as low, and the risk taker drives drunk. This article looks at the possible factors behind lower deterrence and addresses a study on deterrence of drunk drivers who have an addiction.

Keywords: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD); NHTSA; NIAAA; OASAS; The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services; DWI/DUI;

Affiliations:  1: Grants Development Unit at the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services; 2: New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.