DUI punishments can never be harsh enough to prevent recidivism from occurring on our nations highways. By increasing the penalties its been said that we are not preventing DUI recidivism but more so hammering social drinkers on their first DUI offense.
BAC, Traffic Convictions and Recidivism
The California department of motor vehicles reports that DUI convicts with low level blood alcohol concentrations (BAC’s) have a high rate of recidivism and pose significant traffic safety risks. In addition, a 2 year history of traffic convictions is a highly significant predictor of DUI recidivism.
So What’s the Answer to DUI Recidivism?
One method that has proven to significantly reduce the rate of DUI recidivism has been the use and implementation of ignition interlock devices or IID’s. IID’s are installed on offender’s vehicles (or any vehicle that the offender has access to such as spouse vehicle’s and/or any other person sharing a residence with the offender). Ignition interlock devices require that the driver blow a breath sample into the device before starting the vehicle. If the breath sample has a blood alcohol level of .02% or greater (in most cases) the vehicle will not start.
Overall DUI recidivism is a serious issue and more solutions are needed because this issue is the leading cause of traffic fatalities on our nations highways today. The issue of drunk driving and serious bodily injury is primarily caused by repeat offenders and not social drinkers.