The DUI Unit is responsible for the supervision of offenders who are
arrested for Driving Under the Influence offenses. The Unit is also
responsible for the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation Court Reporting Network evaluations (C.R.N.), together with the
Alcohol Highway Safety School,
Multiple Offender Program and
Group Intervention Program through the Franklin County Alcohol Highway-Safety Program (A.H.S.P.).
Additionally, the DUI Unit administers the
In-Jail Intensive Treatment (I.J.I.T.) Program.
The DUI Unit has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Driving Under the
Influence Association for providing:
"...compassion and care above the expected level of professionalism
needed for a successful rehabilitation effort"
Although seen by many who should know better as a "minor offense", driving
under the influence of alcohol or other drugs can be a deadly crime. Here
are some statistics provided by MADD to bear that out:
About three in every ten Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related
crash at some time in their lives. (NHTSA, NCSA, 1999)
Drivers age 21 to 29 drive the greatest proportion of their miles drunk
(Miller et al., 1996c)
In 1999, there were nearly 2 alcohol-related traffic deaths per hour, 43 per
day and 303 per week. That is the equivalent of 2 jetliners crashing week
after week. (NHTSA, NCSA, 1999)
From 1980 to 2000, alcohol-related fatalities have decreased by one third.
The percent of fatal crashes that were alcohol-related declined for most
ethnic groups between 1990 and 1994. From the recent study, all ethnic
groups are experiencing the benefits of this reduction indicating that the
laws and programs put in place are helping all ethnic groups.
Only 7 percent of all crashes involve alcohol use, but nearly 38 percent of
fatal crashes do. (NHTSA, 1999)
Approximately 17% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes in 1999 were
intoxicated at the time of their crash (21% in 1993). (NHTSA, NCSA, 1999)
Traffic crashes are the greatest single cause of death for every age from
six through 33. About 45% of these fatalities are in alcohol-related
crashes. (NHTSA, 1999)
Preliminary studies indicate that for one of every 140 miles driven in the
United States in 2000, a person with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC)
greater than or equal to .08 sat behind the wheel. Police in the United
States reported 1,093,323 crashes involving a driver or pedestrian with a (BAC)
of .01 or more. Formulas developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration were used to estimate the number of alcohol related crashes
where alcohol involvement is not reported by the police or the crash was not
reported to the police. An estimated total of 2,163,200 crashes in the
United States involved alcohol, which killed 16,653 and injured an estimated
512,510 people. (Miller et al, PIRE, 2002)
