Citation

Briscoe S. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2004; 8(2).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study examines both the general and specific deterrent effect of the 1998 increase in statutory penalties for drink-driving offences in NSW. It builds on prior drink-driving research by addressing the limitations of punishment severity studies outlined above. Firstly, it considers a sentencing increase in a jurisdiction where the perceived certainty of apprehension for drink-driving is relatively high. Secondly, this research examines a sanctioning policy that was successfully translated into sentencing practice. An earlier analysis showed that average gaol terms, fines and licence disqualification periods imposed by the courts for drink-driving offences increased significantly after the implementation of the new legislation in 1998. There was also no evidence for an adverse impact of the legislation on the prosecution of drink-driving offences (see Briscoe, 2004a).