How To Curb The

DUI Problem

In Idaho
Clint Urick
Driving Under the Influence
(DUI) has been a problem in
the United States for many
years. Many people continue
to drink and drive without any
apparent thought as to what
the consequences might be.
According to AlcoholAlert.com, the state of Idaho was slightly above
the national average in alcohol related highway fatalities in 2006. Statistics also show that adults in their 20s were the largest demographic
of people who received DUIs in 2006. This paper suggests that by focusing on that demographic we can significantly reduce the number of
DUIs in the state.

Consequences
In August 2013 20-year-old Karlie
Tomica was sentenced to a 4-year
prison term at a Miami-Dade circuit court. What had this young
woman done to receive this sentence? Driving while intoxicated, she struck and killed a man.

The decision Tomica made to get

behind the wheel has left devastating consequences. It left 3 children
fatherless and a wife without her
husband, not to mention the toll
this event has taken on her family.
Speaking in the courtroom, Tomica
said, I know my actions shattered
the hearts of his wife, his children,
his friends and all who knew him.

Percentage
of
DUIs
Total
D
UIs
B
y
A
ge
Total DUIs By Age
by Age Group
0%

9%

0%

0%

3%

8%

9%

3%

0%
8%

Age Groups

14-19

20%
39%

39%

21%

20-29

20-29

30-39

30-39

40-49

40-49

50-59

50-59

60-69

60-69

70-79

70-79
21%

14-19

80-87

80-87

Unfortunately, this is an all too

familiar tragedy. It isnt singular in
any one state but has happened
everywhere,
including
Idaho.
Karlie Tomica was only 20-yearsold when she received a DUI.

Breakdown of DUI
by Gender
Age
14-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
80-87

Female
198
888
525
586
225
44
7
1

As mentioned previously,
most DUIs in Idaho are given to
those in the 20-29 year-old age
range. By directing most drunk
driving awareness resources to
this demographic the number
Male Male
of DUIs per year should drop.
Male
3%
0% 0% 3%
According to the 2006 statistics,
0% 0%
39% of all DUIs were given to
8%
10%
8%
10%
those in this age group. The next
largest age groups were 30-39
19%
19%
and 40-49 comprising 21% and
39%
39%
20% respectively. These varied
slightly between men and women 21%
21%
as males more closely resembled
the total average and women had
a higher percentage in the 40-49 0% Female
Female
Female
year-old category.
2%
0%

Looking at the total averages
there are nearly as many 20-29
24%
year-olds getting DUIs as there
are in the combined 30-49 age
group. Two possible approaches
to resolving this problem involve
scare tactics and informative
persuasion.

9%

2%

0%

0%

8%
9%

Male
734
3507
1906
1642
841
245
34
9

Age Groups

14-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
80-87

14-19
30-39
40-49

24% 36%

21%

36%

50-59
60-69
70-79

21%

20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70-79
80-87

Age Groups

20-29

8%

14-19

80-87

14-19

20-29

30-39

40-49

50-59

60-69

70-79

80-87

Resolutions
Scare Tactics

Imposing more fines or penalties for DUIs of people in the 20-29 age
demographic could cause a reduction in DUIs. A zero-tolerance policy
that revokes the license of members of this demographic who receive
a DUI may stop them from drinking and driving. Steep fines or even jail
time could be another effective scare tactic to employ. People in their 20s
have a lot to look forward to and knowing that driving while intoxicated
could land them in prison for a few years could prevent them from getting
behind the wheel. These scare tactics could be applied to anyone driving
under the influence, but any ad campaigns should be tailored to the 2029 generation since they are the largest demographic. Employing these
scare tactics might just keep Idaho roads safer.

Informative Persuasion

In this paper the term informative persuasion involves using similar
information, but using it in a more positive way. It focuses more on caring
for others rather than fearing the potential consequences. This would
focus more on informing the population about the problems that come
with drunk driving. Ad campaigns would attempt to tug at the heart
strings of the population, and try to persuade them through positive
information to abide the law. The campaign would be most successful if
it influenced people to obey the law because they felt they were making
their community a safer place.

Bibliography
http://www.alcoholalert.com/drunk-driving-statistics-2006.
html
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/08/07/3547727/
plea-expected-by-party-princess.html

How To Curb The DUI

Problem In Idaho
Clint
Urick