Predictors of recidivism in DUIIs

The prior driving records of 397 drivers arrested for drinking and driving in the year 1983 were examined with the purpose of comparing biographical factors and variables relating to driving history and arrest circumstance between recidivist and nonrecidivist drinking drivers. Of these drivers, 174 (44%) had more than one arrest within a 12-year study period, while 223 (56%) had only one. Significant differences were found among drivers with different numbers of drinking and driving offenses. Drivers with one or two DUII arrests had more non-moving traffic violations than drivers with three or more DUII arrests. Drinking and driving offenders with higher levels of arrests were more likely to be unemployed, to have a past criminal record, to be arrested for drinking and driving on a weekday during afternoon and early evening hours, to drive with a suspended or revoked license and to refuse a blood alcohol level determination test. In this study DUII offenders with four or more arrests fit the descriptive model of alcoholism.