AN ASSESSMENT OF PUBLICIZED INSURANCE SANCTIONS AS A DWI COUNTERMEASURE. FINAL REPORT

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of publicized insurance sanctions on DWI. New Hanover County, North Carolina was chosen as a test site in part because this state mandates that offenders convicted of DWI have their premiums raised by 400%. Insurance sanctions were publicized in a seven month campaign of public service advertising and other publicity. Messages in the publicity campaign emphasized that convicted DWI offenders would face substantial insurance increases. To measure the effects of the program, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles surveyed drivers coming to its offices prior to, during, and after the program began. Seven months of an intense public information and education program, relying heavily on public service advertising on TV did reach at least 4% of the drivers, and possibly an additional 4%. About half of those who indicated seeing the message reported the insurance sanction as one of the consequences of a DWI arrest. Regarding potential impact, many drivers who became aware of the insurance sanctions program reported that after drinking they drove less often.