Women have typically represented a relatively small proportion of the drunk driving problem and this has made it more challenging to conduct research on this population. However, continued increases in impaired driving rates, impaired driving arrests, and impaired driving crashes across North America have spurred new interest in the problem.
Building on a 2011 review of the literature, a new study released by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation and funded by The Century Council, examined the history and profiles of female drunk drivers and their experiences in the criminal justice and treatment systems. The study involved more than 150 convicted female drunk drivers, and 36 experienced criminal justice and treatment practitioners in California, New York, Missouri and Michigan.
The findings from this research add to the existing body of knowledge to help increase understanding of this problem. For example, a large majority of female drunk drivers experienced a significant emotional event or trigger (e.g., intense pressure to succeed, financial problems, the end of a relationship, the illness of a child, death of a parent) immediately prior to their drinking and driving offense.
Many women also struggled with low self-esteem or depression and turned to alcohol use as a coping mechanism without understanding its effects. These women further reported that the stigma associated with a drinking problem not only compounded these problems but frequently discouraged them from admitting it or seeking treatment. This was equally true in relation to other issues such as trauma and abuse. And, they were immensely attuned to how the acknowledgment of such problems would negatively influence the perceptions of family, the custody of children, and their professional status.
The results of this study have a number of important implications for practice. First, women are less likely to have other criminal history and, therefore, experience in the criminal justice system. As such, they often are in need of more information about supervision practices and requirements such as the payment of fines and fees, random testing, community service, treatment options and monitoring tools.
Women also reported higher levels of anxiety, concern, fear and frustration in relation to their ability to successfully complete these requirements in addition to being the sole breadwinner and caregiver for their children.
In addition, those women who had opportunities to participate in specialized probation and treatment programs found them to be highly beneficial as it enabled them to identify and explore personal issues related to family, relationships, trauma and mental health. Such programs are increasingly based upon a comprehensive approach that includes mental health services, social and community services, education and vocational skills. Moreover, these programs are staffed by knowledgeable and empathetic staff who not only hold these drunk drivers accountable, but also serve as positive role models and a source of support.
Lastly, women underscored that the lack of alternative transportation and affordable services, particularly in rural jurisdictions, can be a barrier to better employment opportunities, treatment programs and their ability to comply with the requirements of supervision. Greater efforts are needed to address these issues.
The results of this study and others that have been recently released clearly demonstrate the importance of focusing efforts to begin to better understand this problem and to develop more effective strategies both to prevent and manage it. In particular, research to increase understanding of what supervision strategies lead to successful completion of probation and what components of treatment produce better outcomes can guide efforts to address this problem in the form of policies, programs, and individual interventions.
