THE TRAFFIC SAFETY EFFECTIVENESS OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR FIRST OFFENSE DRUNK DRIVERS

This document is the final report concerning the effectiveness of the CDUI Project's education programs for first DUI offenders. There is a complemental report on educational counseling program effectiveness for multiple offenders. First offense drunk drivers were randomly assigned to a home study program, an in-class education program, or a non-treatment control group. Treatment effectiveness was measured by DUI offenses, accident involvement, and client life changes occurring subsequent to assignment. When the total first offender research sample was analyzed, the results indicated that both of the education programs produced significant reductions in DUI recidivism relative to the control group but there was no significant difference between the home study and in-class education methods. The analysis of client subsamples suggested that the home study program was not appropriate for all clients, but for the majority of clients the two education methods were equally effective. The Project's education programs had no effect on accident involvement, or on client life status. Neither of the secondary interventions, letter monitoring and follow-up interviews, had any traffic safety impact.