Strategic Evaluation States Initiative (Impaired Driving Report) [Report]

Four common themes surfaced in the case studies: (1) Data were used and strong plans were developed to achieve high visibility, multi-agency enforcement operations (saturation patrols and/or sobriety checkpoints) year-round on a monthly basis with a focus on areas that represented 65 percent of the alcohol fatality problem in the State; (2) Charismatic leadership helped secure commitments from law enforcement agencies and provided clear guidance on the direction of the impaired driving enforcement program; (3) Law enforcement training, such as in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, was essential to help prepare law enforcement officers for the operations and to obtain their personal commitment; and (4)Targeted messaging were used through earned and paid media along with extensive outreach efforts to raise public awareness of these efforts at the State and local level and increase general deterrence  or stop impaired driving before it happens.

The findings hold promise for greater community involvement to support local impaired driving law enforcement efforts. Section 402 funds or other available impaired driving may be requested to support planning and training activities, equipment needs such as full-staff and low-staff checkpoint supplies, and media training for local/municipal police departments.  Local/municipal law enforcement agencies should conduct coordinated, long-range planning on a regional basis to ensure ongoing impaired driving law enforcement activities throughout the year across the State or regions within the State.