Traffic Safety Policies & Terms

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

Generates & disseminates fundamental knowledge about the effects of alcohol on health and well-being, and apply that knowledge to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of alcohol-related problems, including alcohol use disorder, across the lifespan.

HVE Position

Supportive. These comprehensive enforcement efforts should be utilized in areas with a high occurrence of impaired driving crashes or fatalities.

Enhanced penalties for high BAC

Supportive; .15 BAC or higher differs between states: could be Increased admin penalties, IID, mandatory assess./treatment etc.

24/7 Programs

Supportive; For repeat DUI offenders. Participants are tested 2x daily w onsite alcohol monitoring or bracelets if court ordered (in rural areas), negative test = before a judge in 24 hrs., remains in the community and avoids incarceration. Started by former AG of SD - Larry Long. *There is a push to support in lieu of IIDs. We do not support that. Should be used with treatment.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

When MADD was founded in 1980, an estimated 25,000 people were killed in drunk driving crashes each year. Working to protect families from drunk driving, drugged driving and underage drinking. MADD also supports drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local MADD victim advocates

Social host laws

prohibits adults from knowingly providing/serving alcohol to people underage. Supportive of DL suspensions, community service & fines

Drug impaired driving (marijuana + other drugs)

science of marijuana impairment is inconclusive significantly impairs driving under-reported exponentially increases crashes mixed with alcohol

Graduated Driver Licensing laws (GDL)

3 stage approach to granting young drivers full license privileges. NT and pass restrictions--must remain violation free.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

A branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is charged with improving the quality and availability of treatment and rehabilitative services in order to reduce illness, death, disability, and the cost to society resulting from substance abuse and mental illnesses. The Administrator of SAMHSA reports directly to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Administrator: Pamela Hyde

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

A part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation's medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. Director: Francis Collins

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)

An independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation. In this role, the NTSB investigates and reports on aviation accidents and incidents, certain types of highway crashes, ship and marine accidents, pipeline incidents, and railroad accidents

National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL )

Established in 1975 to serve the members and staff of state legislatures of the United States (states, commonwealths, and territories). NCSL has three objectives: to improve the quality and effectiveness of state legislatures; to promote policy innovation and communication among state legislatures; and to ensure state legislatures a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system. All state legislators and staff members are automatically members of NCSL. We attend their annual conference and have partnered with them at events.

High Visibility Enforcement (HVE)

IResearch shows that in order to be effective, enforcement activities must be well planned, properly executed, visible, and sustained for substantial periods of time. Examples: saturation patrols, No Refusal programs, and/or sobriety checkpoints combined with strong complementary public information campaigns. Electronic message boards, road signs, command posts, scene lighting, and Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) vehicles enhance the highly visible law enforcement presence.

Administrative license suspension/revocation

If offender refuses or fails breath test, law enforcement can take license. Not a criminal punishment.

Responsible retailing practices

Legal sale of alcohol, retailer training, mandatory remedial training for non-compliant employees, enforcement.

The role of an Attorney General

Main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions they may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement, prosecutions or even responsibility for legal affairs generally. In practice, the extent to which the attorney-general personally provides legal advice to the government varies between jurisdictions, and even between individual office-holders within the same jurisdiction, often depending on the level and nature of the office-holder's prior legal experience.

Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS)

NHTSA & ACTS a non-invasive technology that will prevent a person from starting a DADSS-equipped vehicle if the driver has an illegal BAC limit of .08 or above.

National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

NHTSA is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation. It describes its mission as "Save lives, prevent injuries, reduce vehicle-related crashes." Administrator is TBD.

Computerized Assessment & Referral System (CARS)

Primary purpose is to identify mental health issues that may influence DUIs, facilitates treatment, assists practitioners in making appropriate sentencing and supervision.

DUI child endangerment laws

Supportive + ineligible for plea bargaining Laws that punish individuals who endanger kids by driving impaired.

Position on DADSS

Supportive - s technology must be set at the legal limit of .08 BAC and unobtrusive, especially to those drivers who do not consume alcohol. Technologies developed under this project are envisioned to be voluntarily installed as an option on new cars.

Pre-Trial Actions for repeat DUI offenders

Supportive; connects offenders with treatment & supervision ex: license requirements, counseling, IIDs, daily reporting. pre-trail assessments tell judge the risk level & history.

Open Container Laws

Supportive; open container laws prohibit individuals from being in possession of open containers of alcohol while in a vehicle. These restrictions can apply to the driver alone or both the driver and passengers in a vehicle Many jurisdictions do not require vehicle to be in motion.

DWI Courts

Supportive; post-conviction program, specialty court like Drug Court, Judges and stakeholders collaborate with participants to address underlying concerns to address risk level & needs. DUID offenders go through DUI courts. Records are NOT expunged.

Good Samaritan laws

Supportive; unlimited immunity to people under 21 seeking emergency medical assistance on behalf of another person for over-consumption of alcohol and drugs.

Ignition Interlocks

Supports mandatory IIDS for all convicted offenders; offender blows into device & if BAC is over set limit the vehicle will not start.

DUID (marijuana) position

Supports measures to eliminate drug-impaired driving through improved drug testing, passage of laws that provide sanctions for DUI and DUID, enhanced penalties for poly-drug impaired driving or drug and alcohol-impaired driving, drug-impaired driving education and training for criminal justice professionals, and adoption of legal limits based on a consensus of scientific evidence on marijuana and other drug-impaired driving

Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)

The Highway Safety Act of 1966 established the State and Community Highway Safety Grant Program (U.S.C. Title 23, Section 402), creating a unique partnership among federal, state and local governments and setting the foundation for the creation of State Highway Safety Offices, which were funded primarily through 402 funds. In each state and territory, governors select a representative to administer the program.

No Refusal Programs

enables police officers to obtain a search warrant from a judge or magistrate for blood samples of drunk driving suspects when probable cause has been established and a suspect refuses BAC testing. These programs coordinate efforts of paralegals, prosecutors, nurses, and judges to ensure BAC testing when circumstances warrant a test. After a law enforcement stop for DUI, the suspect is given an opportunity to participate in sobriety testing. If the suspect refuses to provide a breath sample, the on-site or on-call prosecutor reviews the case and may present a warrant to the on-site or on-call judge. If the judge grants the warrant, qualified on-site personnel may draw a blood sample.