A Better Strategy for Combating Drunk Driving
Collaborative courts are nothing new. Specialty courts that focus on particular issues such as drunk driving have been around for decades. They have proven to be one of the most successful tools for combating drunk driving recidivism. According to the National Center for DWI Courts (NCDC), “DWI Courts reduce recidivism by 60%.” The statistics are staggering. Throughout the nation, participants that complete the DWI court requirements are significantly more likely to stay out of the justice system and maintain their sobriety.
DUI/DWI Court vs. Traditional Court
As noted by California Courts, “DUI courts are a type of collaborative court that provide individualized treatment and supervision to defendants with repeat DUI (driving under the influence) or DWI (driving while impaired) charges.” DUI courts are based on the drug court models, providing an alternative to traditional courts which focus on punishment through incarceration. DUI Courts combine:
- Supervision
- Accountability
- Rehabilitative treatment
The ultimate goal is to address the underlying addiction or reliance on alcohol. In many cases, participants are required to undergo continuous alcohol monitoring through devices such as the SCRAM CAM bracelet to ensure that they are not drinking throughout the required monitoring period. Non-compliance with court orders is dealt with swiftly. Research shows that the most effective way to combat drunk driving recidivism is continuous alcohol monitoring with swift sanctions for non-compliance. Participants are held accountable to their sobriety while undergoing specialized treatment for their substance use disorder.
DWI Court Expansion
Because of the success of collaborative court programs across the country, NCDC has teamed up with Responsibility.org to expand the number of DWI courts. There are over 700 DWI Courts in the United States alone with the hopes of many more to come in the next decade.