Worksheet6: Selecting the best public policy solution

Date: September 24, 2007 Group Members: John Smith, Jane Doe, and Joe Shmoe

 

Your problem (phrase):

 

The large number of teenagers in this country who drive drunk.

 

List the three public policy alternatives from Worksheet5. Create a short word or abbreviation to summarize each policy and write it at the end of each policy (see example).

 

  1. Reduce the BAC legal level for DWI from .08 to .06. (Reduce Levels)
  2. Increase the penalty for DWI for those under age 21 to include an immediate one-year suspension of one’s driver’s license. (1-year suspension)
  3. Raising the age at which you can get a license to 18. (Raise License Age)

 

Use the format in the example to complete the matrix below:

 

 

 

 

 

EFFECTIVENESS

 

FEASIBILITY

 

 

 

HIGH

 

MEDIUM

LOW

 

HIGH

 

 

 

 

 

MEDIUM

 

 

 

REDUCE LEVELS

 

RAISE LICENSE AGE

 

LOW

 

 

1-YEAR SUSPENSION

 

Discuss the reasons for your decisions in the matrix.

Regarding feasibility, for a first time offense, this may be viewed as being too harsh, since so many people depend on driving for their employment.   Concerning effectiveness, the current penalties are rather harsh, as well as the large cost in lawyer’s fees, yet the penalties do not seem to deter many teenagers and youth.  It is unlikely that a one-year suspension would be a strong deterrent.

Raising the license age to 18 would be effective since a large number of accidents (alcohol-related and others) are committed by 16-17 year olds. So it is likely that you will see a decrease in teen drunk driving. However, teens 16-17 years old have been able to drive for decades and it will be very difficult politically (and economically) to increase the age to 18. Parents and other adults would be forced to drive more 16-17 year olds and they would not see the benefits of reduced teen drunk driving as being great enough to offset their inconvenience.

Lowering the legal limit to .06 would be feasible since New York State already has taken this step and public opinion polls are in favor of this step. Data from states that have instituted the lower levels demonstrates that this policy will help in reducing teen drunk driving.

 

Discuss why your group prefers one alternative over the other two alternatives.

Since lowering the BAC level from .1 to .08 has reduced the number of drunk driving accidents and fatalities (effectiveness), we believe another reduction would also be somewhat effective.  We recognize that feasibility is only medium at best, and perhaps even low.

 

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