Protocol

Cover Page Technical Report Technical Summary Acknowledgements List of Tables Introduction Study Sites Observational Study Focus Group Research Conclusions References

Protocol Selection of Subjects Identification of Eligible Subjects Case Records Description of Subjects Subjects' Prior Driving Records Description of Current DWI/OWI Offense License Reinstatement and Subsequent Driving Record Results of Observations Travel During Suspension Period Travel During vs. After Suspension Factors Affecting Driving While Suspended Circumstances of Observed Travel' Case Examples The protocol excluded persons in Milwaukee with an occupational license. The remaining subjects were observed according to the following plan: 1. Drivers Whose License Was Later Reinstated These subjects were observed one weekday morning (Monday-Thursday 6 - 10 a.m.) and one weekend evening (Friday or Saturday 6 - 10 p.m.) during the term of the DWI/OWI suspension. Later, after their license was reinstated, the subjects were observed the same weekday morning and weekend evening. 2. Drivers Whose License Was Not Reinstated These were subjects who were ineligible for license reinstatement, or who were eligible but chose not to have their license reinstated. Thus, they were observed only during the term of the DWI/OWI suspension, that is, observed one weekday morning and one weekend evening during the term of the suspension. Once it was determined that a subject met the selection criteria, Pinkerton obtained the subject's driver abstract. Both Pinkerton and project staff reviewed the abstract to verify that the suspension was in effect and that there were no extenuating circumstances. Then, Pinkerton took the necessary steps, following established procedures, to verify that the subject resided at the address on record. In keeping with its standard operating procedures, Pinkerton notified local enforcement agencies when an observation was to be conducted. To limit any investigator bias, Pinkerton investigators were provided minimal information about the purpose of the study. The purpose of the observations was to observe any travel made by the subjects to or from their residence. All observations were conducted in an unobtrusive manner. No person-to-person contact was made with subjects at any point during the observation period. While observing the residence, the investigator remained in a vehicle parked on the public street on which the residence was located. If the subject left the residence, the investigator attempted to follow the subject, continuing to conduct the observation in an unobtrusive manner. Investigators adhered to Pinkerton policy that no laws, including traffic laws, should be violated in attempting to follow a subject. The observations conducted during the suspension period were done approximately one month prior to the end of the suspension period. The observations were randomly scheduled for a day of the week (Monday through Thursday for weekdays and Friday or Saturday for weekends). To the extent possible, the morning and evening observations for a subject were conducted within a two-week period. Observations were not conducted on holidays or during snowstorms or other inclement weather conditions. For those subjects who were eligible for license reinstatement, a second abstract was obtained by Pinkerton one to two months after the DWI/OWI suspension ended to determine whether and when reinstatement had occurred, or whether subsequent violations precluded reinstatement. Post-suspension observations, conducted only for persons who had their license reinstated, occurred from one to two months after reinstatement was permissible. At the end of each week, Pinkerton forwarded to project staff the logs detailing the subjects' travel observed during each surveillance period. Each log described the steps undertaken to verify the subject's residence; when and where the subject was observed; any trips made as driver, passenger, or pedestrian; and the destination and other details of each trip. The completed file for each subject included the record of conviction from the court; the driver abstract obtained during the suspension period; the driver abstract obtained after the suspension had ended, if the offender was eligible for reinstatement; and a one-page log of each observation. Information from these documents was coded for entry into a database. Each subject was assigned a case number, and all case records were anonymous and organized around the case number. All documents containing the subject's name, or any information that could be used to identify the subject, were destroyed. Observation reports and driver abstracts were tracked by case number, rather than name or address. No documents with the subject's name or other identifying information were viewed at any time by representatives of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or local law enforcement agencies.