Environmental Strategies for Prevention
A Guide To Helping the Prevention Professional Work Effectively in the Community

Module 2: Types of Environmental Approaches - Page 13 of 26

Enforcement Using Deterrence and Incentives

a police car in the rearview mirror and the initials D.W.I

Enforcement usually involves the use of penalties and fines for violators of established policies. For example, laws may allow suspending the license of a drunk driver, fining a retail establishment for serving beer to an underage customer, or even the arrest and detention of offenders, such as drunk drivers and perpetrators of domestic violence.

Some States have passed "social host liability laws." These allow individuals who are involved in an accident with an intoxicated minor to sue the third party that provided the alcohol to the minor. Media campaigns of social host cases may increase the perceived risk of consequences and therefore improve the deterrence effect of these laws. ref

Studies have shown that perceived risk of being caught is a strong deterrent for many people. ref Drinkers who think they are likely to get caught driving while under the influence will think twice before getting behind the wheel of a car. Therefore, improving awareness of existing laws or the presence of law enforcement (particularly through focused, highly visible efforts such as checkpoints) can help deter driving under the influence.

The effectiveness of enforcement awareness campaigns has been shown in evaluations in several States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluated a public information campaign in Nevada designed to increase awareness of a law requiring police officers to confiscate the driver's licenses of people arrested for driving while intoxicated (DWI). The study found that the campaign significantly increased awareness of the sanction and also reduced self-reported drinking-and-driving behavior. Alcohol-related crashes also declined by 12 percent during the same period. ref

More than half of the States in the U.S. allow home delivery of alcohol. ref

Another NHTSA study looked at the impact of a publicity campaign in Maryland emphasizing penalties of the new BAC limit laws for drivers under 21. The public information campaign was found to have enhanced the effect of the law in reducing young crash-involved drivers judged to be drinking. ref

The Nevada and Maryland case studies point out how one environmental strategy (public awareness campaigns) can be used hand in hand with another environmental strategy (enforcement of a law) to change a hazardous environment.

Just as enforcement doesn't always have to be carried out by uniformed police, community groups and businesses can also help an environment that deters unwanted behavior. Insurance companies, for example, typically raise premiums or deny coverage for drivers convicted of DWI. Conversely, insurers may reward good driving habits through incentives that reduce insurance costs. ref

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