Impact Evaluation of the Louisville-Shively-Jefferson County Traffic Alcohol Programs

This report is an evaluation of the Traffic Alcohol Patrol (TAP) programs in Louisville, Shively, and Jefferson County, Kentucky. The following types of data were collected and analyzed to evaluate the TAP programs: accidents, arrests and adjudication, cost effectiveness, and public opinions. Results from before-and-after comparisons and time-series analysis show alcohol-related accidents decreased significantly during the study period. Time-series analysis of three years before and two years during TAP indicated a 27.1% decrease during TAP hours of enforcement. There was a decrease in the arrest rate of at least 50% for each of the jurisdictions studied. When comparing costs versus benefits and direct income, the benefit-cost ratio was calculated to be 2.81 and 5.66, depending upon the source of accident costs used in the analysis. Results from the survey questionnaire indicated that a high percentage of respondents (96%) were aware of the TAP program. In addition, 87% indicated that increased enforcement was an effective means of reducing drinking and driving and 91% indicated that TAP had increased chances of arrest for persons who drink and drive.