Increasing impaired-driving enforcement visibility

An effective way to reduce impaired driving is to increase the perceived risk of being stopped and arrested by law enforcement if driving while impaired. One of the most successful strategies for doing this is the coupling of intense and highly visible enforcement with publicity about the enforcement campaign. The term lhigh-visibility enforcementr (HVE) is used to describe law enforcement efforts aimed at deterring driving after drinking by increasing the publicrs perception of being caught, arrested, and prosecuted for impaired driving. Examples of impaired-driving HVE programs are provided for regional, state, and local agencies considering incorporating HVE strategies into their efforts to curb impaired driving or to modify existing HVE programs. HVE elements include the use of lighted or variable message signs; high-intensity lights; large signs announcing the enforcement; and large vans, trailers, patrol cars, and police officer vests with specialized impaired-driving enforcement insignias. Publicity activities include press releases, earned media coverage, letters to the editor, and signs, marques, posters, and billboards in the community publicizing the enforcement. Common enforcement strategies of HVE operations include sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols. Both use highly visible elements to heighten their overt impact. Enforcement efforts should also be supported by a substantial amount of publicity and communications. Publicity regarding the HVE operations raises public awareness and the perception of an increased likelihood of detection of impaired driving. Research has indicated that HVE operations that are well publicized, conducted frequently, and have high visibility can significantly deter impaired driving.