Publication Details

Preliminary evaluation of the North Carolina Safe Roads Act of 1983

Type: Paper

Subtype: Summary report

Author(s): Lacey, John H.; Popkin, Carol L.; Stewart, J. Richard; Rodgman, Eric A.; Havener, T. N.; Jones, D. E.

Publisher: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Url: https://trid.trb.org/view/214140

Publication Date: Jun-1984

Number: DOT HS 037 607

Address: Washington, DC

Abstract: In June, 1983, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted the Safe Roads Act which made sweeping revisions to North Carolina's drunk driving law. It was intended to deter persons from Driving While Impaired (DWI) by imposing more certain and uniformly severe sanctions on those arrested for and convicted of DWI. This paper is a summary of findings of a preliminary study of the impact of the new law on various aspects of the DWI control system and of its impact on highway safety. Two potential problem areas in the implementation of the new law became apparent during the study: First, mandatory jail terms, which are often served on weekends, may lead to potential jail overcrowding on weekends; and second, the more complex and lengthy paperwork associated with processing cases through the court system is taxing the manpower resources of Clerks of Court.