Assessing factors associated with knowledge of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) penalties.

Background

The use of legal sanctions is often framed as a way to deter driving under the influence (DUI). Yet little research has assessed frequent drinkers' knowledge of DUI penalties.

Objectives

To assess the general public's knowledge of DUI penalties (an important element of deterrence) in their state and factors associated with more accurate knowledge.

Methods

This US-based cross-sectional study used data from a Connect Platform survey of adult drinkers (n = 583, 58.0% male, 41.4% female) that asked their beliefs on the usual DUI fine and jail time penalty in their state, and how much they expected to be charged if imprisoned (jail fee). Responses were compared with data on minimum/maximum DUI penalties that appear in state statutes pertaining to DUI. For fines, responses were considered accurate if within $100 of the penalty on statute, and for jail time, if they matched the penalty on statute. Regression models were used to assess respondent characteristics associated with accurate penalty knowledge.

Results

Among respondents, 83.7% and 67.2% underestimated the minimum DUI fine and jail time penalty in their state, respectively, and 8.7% and 19.7% overestimated. Although 75.4% of respondents lived in a state that charged jail fees, less than half were aware of this. No demographic or characteristic was consistently associated with accurate penalty knowledge across regression models (p > .05).

Conclusions

The majority of respondents underestimated the DUI penalty in their state and suggest that large-scale campaigns to educate the public on the severity of DUI penalties are warranted.