Paper

Presentation Title: The Behavior Impact of DUI Laws and Sanctions

Research Focus: Deterrence and Social Control Theories  

Abstract:

Determining whether legal sanctions administered by the judicial court system or by local law enforcements are effectively designed to reduce, discourage and/or deter people from driving while impaired. There are various studies that provide conflicting arguments on whether driving laws have been a successful strategy in deterring drinking and driving behavior. Deterrence theories are based on the assumption that the perception and probability of certain severe punishment discourages people from illegal activities. Deterrence theory assumes that law breaking is inversely related to the severity of punishment. Further, it is the deterrence model ideology that law enforcement entities depend on to reduce DUI/DWI’s. The social control theory expands on the deterrence model to incorporate social influences. According to this theory drinking laws are only one of many factors that influence DUI behavior. Social stigma and perceived risk in committing the crime also play a part in discouraging this type of behavior. Although there has been little research conducted examining both deterrence and social control theories and the impact on DUI behavior proponents for these theories believe that innate makeup of these two ideologies are effective enough to modify a person’s