Testing a Specific Deterrence Model on Drunk Driving Recidivism

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a unique and significant public health issue. Wisconsin is of particular concern due to the high levels of binge drinking and incidences of drinking and driving. Legal sanctions for reducing drinking and driving have been influenced by the tenets of deterrence theory, yet the effectiveness of these approaches remains inconsistent. The current study contributed to criminological theory and practice by testing a specific deterrence model on a sample of individuals who were incarcerated in a local correctional facility to determine the influence of both deterrent and individual factors on the likelihood of drunk driving recidivism. Results of the study, as well as policy implications and future research are discussed throughout the paper.