W H E R E W E ' V E B E E N :

The National Hardcore
Drunk Driver Project

ardcore drunk driving. Across the country, more and more people are attempting to put a stop to it. Concerned citizens, police officers, judges, public safety officials and researchers have all grappled for ways to prevent, punish and treat the hardcore. But because many times their efforts have lacked coordination, the results have often been discouraging. Without a consistently coordinated, systematic approach to deterring those who habitually drive while highly intoxicated, individual tactics typically have only a marginal impact on the problem.

Hardcore Drunk Drivers can be defined as those who drive with a high blood alcohol concentration of 0.15 or above, who do so repeatedly, as demonstrated by having more than one drunk driving arrest, and who are highly resistant to changing their behavior despite previous sanctions, treatment or education efforts.

In recent years, a growing body of research has pointed to hardcore drunk drivers as the source of a large and disproportionate share of highway crashes. Analysis of the data indicates that among all the variables in the drunk driving equation, reducing the hardcore factor could yield the greatest future benefit in terms of lives saved. In 1997, responding to the need for an initiative to address the situation and examine promising strategies, The Century Council created The National Hardcore Drunk Driver Project. The Council, a national not-for-profit organization, works to combat drunk driving and underage drinking and is funded by America's leading distillers.

Each year, as many as 40% of fatally injured drinking drivers were previously convicted of DWI. Of these, 80% had BACs of at least .15. In 1997, 58% of drivers involved in alcohol-related fatalities had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) of 0.15 or higher.

The Project serves as a single, comprehensive resource to assist legislators, highway safety officials, law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, community activists and treatment professionals in developing programs to reduce hardcore drunk driving. The work of the Project is guided by the recommendations of a panel of internationally recognized professionals in the fields of alcohol abuse, law enforcement and traffic safety.

As its first undertaking, the Project produced a 220-page sourcebook, Combating Hardcore Drunk Driving, which includes information from an in-depth survey of drunk driving strategies, programs and laws in all 50 states and a review of recent drunk driving research. A website, www.dwidata.org, maintains and updates this information and tracks relevant current legislation in each state.

In 1998, the Project held a series of forums in Massachusetts, Texas and Ohio that were designed to foster the beginning of a national dialogue focusing on shared problems and creative solutions. The forums were part of The Century Council's commitment to build alliances with other public and private organizations engaged in the fight against drunk driving. Each forum concentrated on a particular dimension of the hardcore drunk driving dilemma and included participants from other states whose expertise was especially valuable to the topic.

The forum in Boston, Massachusetts focused on treatment and alternative sentencing - particularly to dedicated detention facilities - and looked at how to establish a mandatory repeat offender treatment program appropriate to the state's needs. Sponsored by The Century Council, the forum met twice in 1998 - once in April and a second time in October.

The Austin, Texas forum was cosponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation and The Century Council. The September 1998 meeting emphasized enforcement and sanctions and explored issues and options that are particularly relevant in rural areas.

The Columbus, Ohio forum, held in November, 1998, focused on prosecution and sentencing. It was sponsored by The Ohio Department of Public Safety, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Maryhaven, Inc., and The Century Council.

Bill Lewis, Texas MADD Public Policy Liason, and the Century Council chairman, Jack Lawn at the Texas Forum

In December 1998, the National Hardcore Drunk Driver Project Advisory Panel met to discuss the forums, review recent research and exchange viewpoints about developing a national agenda to address the problem. The report that follows is a synthesis of ideas, information and perspectives expressed in these meetings and other venues throughout the life of the Project.

As the National Hardcore Drunk Driver Project continues to evolve, it is increasingly clear that a grassroots effort is gaining momentum to support an unflinching stand against hardcore drunk driving. This demand for action is bringing about new legislation, promising strategies and effective, innovative programs. Through strong leadership on the part of a number of groups and individuals, what was once a murky trail is now being paved with sound planning and long-term vision. This publication is aimed at advancing that effort.