Evaluation of the General Deterrent Effect of Vehicle Impoundment on Suspendedand Revoked Drivers in California

摘要

While license suspension/revocation have been shown to be effective, it is alsoknown that most suspended/revoked (S/R) drivers violate their S/R order and continue to drive, accruing traffic convictions and becoming involved in crashes. In an attempt to strengthen license actions and to better control S/R and unlicensed drivers, California enacted two laws effective January 1995 which provide for the impoundment/forfeiture of vehicles driven by S/R and unlicensed drivers. The current study evaluates the general deterrent impact of vehicle impoundment on the crash rates for the general population of S/R drivers in California, regardless of whether they have been apprehended and punished for driving-while-suspended.