Citation

Jones B. J. Saf. Res. 1987; 18(1): 19-26.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1987, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This report presents the results of a study of the effectiveness of license revocation for habitual offenders. Drivers whose licenses were revoked were compared with a similar group of drivers whose licenses were not revoked. All revoked drivers had significantly fewer nonmajor violations than did the control drivers. Revoked drivers who received the revocation notice (47%) also had significantly fewer accidents and major violations. Moreover, revoked drivers demonstrated a significant change in the pattern of violation types after revocation. It was concluded that: (a) revocation seems to be an effective way to deter habitual traffic offenders, because habitual offenders whose licenses are revoked have fewer traffic involvements than would be expected if they were not revoked; (b) license revocation would be more effective if the rate of delivery of the revocation notice was higher; and (c) even though many habitual offenders drive illegally after revocation, there is evidence that improved driving behavior, as well as reduced exposure, contributes to the effectiveness of the program.