Study questions effect of tough sentences on drunk driving

[Azure]

An internal report by the federal Justice Department raises doubts about the effectiveness of harsher sentences, the linchpin of the Tory government's tough-on-crime policies.

The study examined almost 3,300 people convicted of an impaired-driving offence, and found 57 per cent of them offended again at least once, within five years on average.

And the severity of the first sentence had no impact on the behaviour of repeat offenders.

"There was no evidence to suggest that the imposition of a fine or imprisonment had any effect on the likelihood of whether an offender would re-offend or not," the author concludes.

"This indicates that the severity of the sentence received did not deter offenders in this sample."

"Reconviction rates for all individuals were similar regardless of the sentence received for the initial impaired driving conviction."

http://www.citytv.com/toronto/cityne...-drunk-driving

[CaptainCrunch]

Those are hardly harsh sentences

The minimum fine for a first impaired-driving offence was raised to $1,000 from $600, for example, and the minimum penalty for a second offence increased to 30 days in jail from 14.

The minimum for subsequent offences was hiked to 120 days from 90 days. And for summary convictions, with no jury trial, the maximum jail time shot to 18 months from six.

Looking at that, maybe the sentences aren't harsh enough and thats why people are re-offending, because there minor consequences.

I think the prime thing with drunk drivers is to hammer them in the finance and convenience factor instead of tossing them in jail. For example on a second offense you take their car away and their license for a couple of years.
If you get into an accident where you cause property damage or hurt/kill someone you never get your license back, they seize your car and you have to pay for damages plus a punitive fine.

If you make it absolutely nasty to drink and drive then people will think twice, or we'll get them off of the road.

[nik-]

I think the problem with studying the effect of harsh sentences on re-offending is that they're studying a state where your decision making is impaired ... so wouldn't this be less likely to factor in anyway?

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

If you make it absolutely nasty to drink and drive then people will think twice, or we'll get them off of the road.

I really don't think it matters. The people who drink and drive are going to drink and drive unless they physically can't. It doesn't matter if others get nailed for two million dollars on a traffic stop, the others will drive on. Alcoholics are a ridiculous group.

After the new laws went in place in BC the people who stopped "Drinking" and driving were the people who would go out for one beer after work then drive home. The people who get absolutely annihilated and get behind the wheel are still doing it without a care in the world.

[CaptainCrunch]

I still think this country needs to bring back chain gangs and hard labor sentences for low intensity crimes like Drinking and Driving.

There are a lot of cases of people that just keep driving after they have their licenses suspended, they should bring back the lash for those people.