Drunk-Driving in New York and Texas

Driving while under the influence of alcohol continues to be a major problem in the United States (Willingham & Cameron, 1990). Total driving while under the influence of alcohol arrests increased by 15.2 percent from 1979 to 1988, while the population was increasing 9.3 percent (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1990; Bureau of the Census, 1991). From 1987 to 1988, however, arrests for driving while under the influence of alcohol declined by 4.2 percent (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1990).

Per capita driving while under the influence arrests vary widely by state. The highest per capita rateù1.09 arrests per 100 personsùis found in California, while the lowest rateù0.03 arrests per 100 personsùis found in Delaware (calculated from data obtained from Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1990).

A wide variety of factors may be implicated in the differences in the per capita arrest rate for driving while under the influence of alcohol. In making comparisons between states one factor that should be neutralized is the blood alcohol level at which driving an automobile is illegal per se. Thus, a comparison of California (1.09 arrests per 100 persons per capita arrest rate for driving while under the influence) with Pennsylvania (0.17 arrests per 100 persons per capita arrest rate for driving while under the influence) would be unsuitable because of the difference between

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hile under the influence of alcohol. 5. The per capita number of law enforcement officers. An assumption is made that the greater the per capita number of law enforcement officers the more arrests will be made for driving while under the influence of alcohol. 6. Per capita state revenues from taxes on alcohol. An assumption is made that higher per capita state revenues from taxes on alcohol represent higher alcohol consumption, which, in turn, translates into more arrests for driving while under the influence of alcohol. 7. The proportion of total households receiving public aid for dependent children. An assumption is made that the poverty indicated by this factor is reflective of social stresses that will lead to driving while under the influence of alcohol. 8. The unemployment rate. An assumption is made that the stress induced by unemployment will lead to driving while under the influence of alcohol. 9. The number of highway miles per capita. An assumption is made that the greater traffic congestion resulting from a higher number of highway miles per capita will result in more arrests for driving while under the influence of alcohol. 10. The number of vehicles per 1,000 population. An assumption is made that
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Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)

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