4. Title and Subtitle
Programs Across the United States That Aid Motorists in the Reporting of Impaired Drivers to Law Enforcement

5. Report Date
March 2007

6.  Performing Organization Code

7. Author(s)

Dary Fiorentino, Magda Cure, Joshua Kipper

8. Performing Organization
Report No.

9. Performing Organization Name and Address
Southern California Research Institute
11914 West Washington Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90066

10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)

11. Contract or Grant No.
DTNH22-04-H-05087

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

DOT/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Office of Behavioral Safety Research
NTI-131, Room 5119
400 Seventh Street SW.
Washington, DC 20590

13. Type of Report and
Period Covered
Final Report

14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. Supplementary Notes

Amy Berning and Christine Sicinski served as the project Contracting Officer’s Technical Representatives.

16. Abstract

The objective of this project was to identify States that use a statewide cellular drunk driving reporting program which provide free airtime and allow motorists with cell phones to dial a special number (such as *DUI) to report suspected drunk drivers. Through contacts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Regional Offices and State Highway Safety Offices, researchers identified the entity in each State and United States territory most likely to be able to discuss cellular-telephone-based reporting of impaired drivers. Each person was then contacted via telephone and was asked to provide information regarding the program.

Although the information received from States was not always complete, we learned that 6 States have dedicated programs to report DWI drivers, and 45 reported “911” or general emergency programs that can be used to report DWI drivers. In most cases, calls to report DWI drivers made from cellular phones are routed to the appropriate law enforcement agency regardless of whether the reporting individual dialed a dedicated number or 911. Both dedicated DWI and 911-type programs may serve equally well in reporting DWI drivers.

17. Key Word

cellular reporting; DWI; DUI

18. Distribution Statement
This report is available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at www.nhtsa.dot.gov; it is also available through the National Technical Information Service at www.ntis.gov

19. Security Classif. (of this report)
Unclassified

20. Security Classif. (of this page)
Unclassified

21. No.
of Pages

22. Price