Abstract

This report is an evaluation of increased police enforcement to reduce alcohol-related accidents in Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky. Three types of data were coIlected as a means of evaluating the Traffic Alcohol Program; accident data, arrest and adjudication data, and cost-effectiveness data.

Results from before-and-after comparisons and time-series analysis show alcohol related accidents decreased significantly during the study period. When comparing two years before with three years during the increased enforcement, the percent reduction in alcohol-related accidents was 28.1 percent using standard before and after analysis and 29.1 percent using time-series analysis. During the same time period, alcohol related fatal or injury accidents decreased 26.7 percent.

Arrests have averaged 3,686 per year for the three years of increased enforcement as compared to 929 the year before. The DUI conviction rate has remained at approximately 90 percent throughout the program.

Based on costs associated with the program (enforcement, jail costs, and court costs) and benefits (reduced accident costs, fines for DUI, and fines for other offenses); the benefit-cost ratio was 3.71.

Report Date

10-1985

Report Number

UKTRP-85-26

Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.13023/KTC.RR.1985.26

Notes

The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the University of Kentucky nor of the Kentucky State Police. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

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