Summary

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

Participant Criteria and Recruitment Participant Characteristics and Licensing Status Circumstances of DWI/OWI Arrest Penalties Imposed Relative Impact of Sanctions Prior License Suspensions Transportation Before and During Suspension Driving While Suspended License Reinstatement Evaluation of License Suspension Sanctions Summary Although there were notable differences in reported attitudes, experiences, and behaviors among participants in focus groups in each site, the more striking differences were those between sites. The penalties for alcohol-impaired driving imposed on New Jersey participants appeared to be more severe, on average, than those imposed on Milwaukee participants. The financial costs were considerably higher for New Jersey participants, primarily as a result of the state-imposed insurance surcharge. The license sanction was also more severe, on average, because the severity of Wisconsin's license suspension was substantially weakened by the availability of the occupational license for many offenders. Participants in the two sites also reported markedly different attitudes and behaviors with regard to their suspension. In general, the suspension appeared to represent a greater hardship for New Jersey participants. Many reported that they had made major changes in their work and personal lives to comply with the suspension. The perception of risk for detection and punishment for driving while suspended was also much higher among New Jersey participants, and they demonstrated a greater knowledge and a greater fear of the sanctions for driving while suspended. Although socioeconomic and other differences may partially explain the differences between participants at the two sites, the focus group discussions also suggest that the differences in the states' laws are an important factor. A sizeable proportion of the participants in both sites indicated that they drove on at least some occasions while their license was suspended, and many of the Milwaukee participants with an occupational license also indicated that they drove on at least some occasions outside the restrictions of the license. In a discussion of the merits of licensing sanctions, the New Jersey participants indicated that New Jersey's sanctions have considerable deterrent power but also are onerous and unfair. In contrast, the Wisconsin licensing sanctions were not seen as unfair or unduly burdensome, but also were not viewed as an effective deterrent to future drinking and driving.