Programs Across the United States That Aid Motorists in the Reporting of Impaired Drivers to Law Enforcement

The objective of this project was to identify States that use a statewide cellular drunk driving reporting program which provides free airtime and allows motorists with cell phones to dial a special number (such as *DUI) to report suspected drunk drivers. Through contacts at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Regional Offices and State Highway Safety Offices, researchers identified the entity in each State and United States territory most likely to be able to discuss cellular-telephone-based reporting of impaired drivers. Each person was then contacted via telephone and was asked to provide information regarding the program. Although the information received from States was not always complete, the authors learned that 6 States have dedicated programs to report Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) drivers, and 45 reported “911” or general emergency programs that can be used to report DWI drivers. In most cases, calls to report DWI drivers made from cellular phones are routed to the appropriate law enforcement agency regardless of whether the reporting individual dialed a dedicated number or 911. Both dedicated DWI and 911-type programs may serve equally well in reporting DWI drivers.