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More than 1.5 million traffic crashes involving deer are estimated to occur each year in the United States. These crashes produce at least $1.1 billion in vehicle damage and about 150 fatalities annually. Deer-related crashes are increasing as both deer populations and vehicular travel increase.Many methods have been used in attempts to reduce deer crashes, often with little scientific foundation and limited evaluation. This paper summarizes the methods and reviews the evidence of their effectiveness and the situations in which each may be useful. The only widely accepted method with solid evidence of effectiveness is well-designed and maintained fencing, combined with underpasses or overpasses as appropriate. Herd reduction is controversial but can be effective. Deer whistles appear useless. Roadside reflectors appear to have little long-term effect, although additional well-designed evaluations are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn. Both temporary passive signs and active signs appear promising in specific situations, but considerable research is required to evaluate long-term driver response and to improve and test deer detection technology for active signs. Other methods using advanced technology require substantial additional research and evaluation.

The term "hard core" has been used extensively over the past 15 years to identify persons who drink and drive regularly, typically at high blood alcohol levels. This article discusses how the term arose and clarifies what it means, both as a concept and in practice. It describes the characteristics of hard core drinking drivers and estimates their contribution to drinking driver trips, arrests, and crashes. It summarizes current knowledge and recommendations on the most effective means to affect their behavior and reduce their drinking and driving.

This study investigates why drunk driving has not decreased recently and what can be done to reduce it further. Data from traffic crashes and roadside and telephone surveys present a clear picture of drunk driving in the United States today. Research shows what is known about which drunk driving control methods are effective and which are not. Interviews with over 90 knowledgeable practitioners, managers, and researchers across the country describe what is happening on the streets and in communities, what changes are needed, and how these changes might be effected. Every state has an elaborate system of drunk driving laws, enforcement, courts, and punishment, but these systems do not work as well as they should. Arrest rates are low. Complex laws allow some offenders to escape any punishment. Other offenders can avoid a drunk driving conviction through a plea bargain. Sanctions are not applied consistently. Sentence requirements are not completed. These problems are not well known because many states do not have good record systems. Drunk drivers have little fear of being stopped, arrested, convicted, and punished-so they continue to drink and drive. This study recommends effective and practical actions to improve the drunk driving control system along with three specific strategies to implement these recommendations. Drunk driving today Drinking and driving is common. About 21 percent of driving-age Americans reported they had driven after drinking in the past year, making about 950 million drinking-driver trips. In about 9 percent of these trips, or about 80 million, the driver's blood alcohol level (BAC) was 0.08 or above. Drunk driving arrests are rare. With 1.55 million arrests for drunk driving (DWI) in 1999, the chances of arrest on any drunk driving trip were less than one in 50. Drunk driving by young people has decreased substantially. Only 12 percent of drunk drivers in fatal crashes in 1999 were under 21, compared to 19 percent in 1982. Repeat offenders and drivers with high blood alcohol levels contribute prominently to vi the problem. About one-third of all drivers arrested or convicted of DWI are repeat offenders. Over half of all drivers arrested for DWI and almost two-thirds of fatally injured drinking drivers had a BAC over 0.15-a level that requires a typical 180lb man to drink seven beers in one hour. About 23 percent of all drinking drivers are problem drinkers, but they contribute over 40 percent of all drinking-driver trips. States differ substantially. In some states, only about 10 percent of all drivers involved in fatal crashes had BAC levels over 0.10. In other states, over 25 percent did. States that have reduced drunk driving the most over the past 20 years have effective laws, high-visibility enforcement, and substantial public education built on a foundation of strong leadership, secure funding, and firm commitment. Attention to drunk driving has dropped. The public is more concerned with drugs and crime. Even within traffic safety, the spotlight is on aggressive driving, cell phone...

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