Worksheet6: Selecting the best public policy solution

Date: September 24, 1999 Group Members: John Smith, Jane Doe, and Joe Shmoe

 

Your problem (phrase):

 

The problem that needs to be addressed is 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. Reducing the legal level for DUI from .10 to .08. (Reduce Levels)
  2. Increased education in schools about alcohol and the consequences of drunk driving by implementing the THINK MADD program. (Education)
  3. Raising the age at which you can get a license to 18. (Raise Age)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

EFFECTIVENESS

 

FEASIBILITY

 

 

 

HIGH

 

MEDIUM

LOW

 

HIGH

 

 

 

 

 

MEDIUM

 

REDUCE LEVELS

 

 

RAISE AGE

 

LOW

 

EDUCATION

 

 

 

Discuss the reasons for your decisions in the matrix.

 

Increased education about drunk driving would be easy to implement and not cost very much. However, teens already receive education in school, at home, and in the media about the dangers of drunk driving. It is highly unlikely that this would be an effective solution to the problem.

Raising the license age to 18 would be effective since a large number of accidents (alcohol-related and others) are committed by 15-17 year olds. So it is likely that you will see a decrease in teen drunk driving. However, teens 15-17 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 15-17 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 .08 would be feasible nationwide since many states already have 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.

We believe that lowering the tolerance level from .10 to .08 will have the most widespread effect on reducing teen drunk driving.

 

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