Driving While Intoxicated

Alcohol-impaired driving presents unique criminal justice challenges. Drinking is legal for most adults, and driving is legal for adults with licenses. However, when alcohol is consumed in sufficiently high concentrations and combined with driving, it becomes illegal behavior. Law enforcement must target the co-occurrence of driving and drinking that poses a risk to the public. This entry discusses laws and enforcement, costs of driving while intoxicated, young adults and drinking and driving, prevention in high-risk locations, drugged driving, and future challenges.

Laws and Enforcement

Prior to the 1980s, drinking while intoxicated received limited attention from the public, policy makers, or law enforcement. In the 1980s, however, community groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving formed a grassroots movement to change public attitudes, laws, and enforcement. Nationwide ...

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