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Hardcore Drunk Driving Judicial Guide
In 2002, the National Association of State Judicial Educators and The Century Council's National Hardcore Drunk Driver Project convened a panel to examine the judiciary's critical role in reducing hardcore drunk driving.
At a judicial summit meeting in Washington, D.C., members of the panel — judges and judicial educators recognized as experts on the drunk driving issue — examined:
- The problem of hardcore drunk driving
- The role of the judiciary system in sentencing hardcore drunk drivers
- Challenges and obstacles to effective sentencing of hardcore drunk drivers
- Effective sanctions, strategies, and programs to reduce hardcore drunk driving
- Model programs and promising practices
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Hardcore Drunk Drivers
- Drive with a high blood alcohol concentration (.15 or above)
- Do so repeatedly, as demonstrated by having more than one drunk driving arrest
- Are highly resistant to changing their behavior despite previous sanctions, treatment, or education
- Are 385 times more likely to be involved in a crash than a non-drinking driver
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As a result, the panel created the Hardcore Drunk Driving Judicial Guide, which combines the panel's ideas and experiences with research in the field of hardcore drunk driving.
The Guide highlights effective strategies, tactics, and programs that can be implemented across the nation to reduce this dangerous problem, and is designed to serve as a resource for judges and judicial educators as they address the complexities of reducing drunk driving in our communities.
Hardcore drunk drivers are those who drive with a high blood alcohol concentration (.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.
Successful approaches to stop hardcore drunk driving require a comprehensive system providing for swift identification, certain punishment, and effective treatment. The judicial community is uniquely positioned to lead the effort to reduce hardcore drunk driving through strong, consistent sentencing and creative, comprehensive sanctions. These measures not only punish the offender and protect the public but also promote behavior changes leading to reduced recidivism.
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