Consequences of driving drunk are paying off

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-04/uoo-osc040615.php

Public Release: 6-Apr-2015
University of Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. -- (April 6, 2015) -- Punishments for drivers whose blood alcohol content is measured above legal thresholds for impairment have reduced the likelihood of repeat offenses, says a University of Oregon economist.

His study of data gathered from 1999 to 2011 in the state of Washington -- where a BAC over .08 is considered to be driving under the influence -- found a 17 percent reduction in recidivism. An additional 9 percent reduction was seen in cases involving blood alcohol content above .15, which constitutes an aggravated intoxication threshold.

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