SOCIAL BONDS AS PREDICTORS OF RECIDIVISM AMONG MULTIPLE ALCOHOL-RELATED TRAFFIC OFFENDERS PARTICIPATING IN AN IGNITION INTERLOCK LICENSE RESTRICTION PROGRAM IN MARYLAND

The existing literature on alcohol-related traffic offenses includes demographics of adults with multiple alcohol-related traffic offenses but fails to address why recidivism occurs. Criminological theories, such as Travis Hirschi's social bond theory, may be utilized to explain the crime of alcohol-impaired driving. Social bond theory maintains that those individuals with strong attachments, involvements, commitments and beliefs will be less likely to engage in criminal and delinquent behavior. The current study applies Hirschi's social bond theory to a population of adults with multiple alcohol-related traffic offenses and investigates the association between social bonds and recidivism. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference, see ITRD Abstract No. E201067.