Drunk Driving

In this ambitious interdisciplinary study, James B. Jacobs provides the first comprehensive review and analysis of America's drunk driving problem and of America's anti-drunk driving policies and jurisprudence. In a clear and accessible style, he considers what has been learned, what is being done, and what constitutional limits exist to the control and enforcement of drunk driving.

"Everyone knows 'drunk driving' is a 'serious' offense. And yet, everyone knows lots of 'drunk drivers' who don't get involved in accidents, don't get caught by the police, and manage to compensate adequately for their 'drunken disability.' Everyone also knows of 'drunk drivers' who have been arrested and gotten off easy. Gusfield's book dissects the conventional wisdom about 'drinking-driving' and examines the paradox of a 'serious' offense that is usually treated lightly by the judiciary and rarely carries social stigma."—Mac Marshall, Social Science and Medicine "A sophisticated and thoughtful critic. . . . Gusfield argues that the 'myth of the killer drunk' is a creation of the 'public culture of law.' . . . Through its dramatic development and condemnation of the anti-social character of the drinking-driver, the public law strengthens the illusion of moral consensus in American society and celebrates the virtues of a sober and orderly world."—James D. Orcutt, Sociology and Social Research "Joseph Gusfield denies neither the role of alcohol in highway accidents nor the need to do something about it. His point is that the research we conduct on drinking-driving and the laws we make to inhibit it tells us more about our moral order than about the effects of drinking-driving itself. Many will object to this conclusion, but none can ignore it. Indeed, the book will put many scientific and legal experts on the defensive as they face Gusfield's massive erudition, pointed analysis and criticism, and powerful argumentation. In The Culture of Public Problems, Gusfield presents the experts, and us, with a masterpiece of sociological reasoning."—Barry Schwartz, American Journal of Sociology This book is truly an outstanding achievement. . . . It is sociology of science, sociology of law, sociology of deviance, and sociology of knowledge. Sociologists generally should find the book of great theoretical interest, and it should stimulate personal reflection on their assumptions about science and the kind of consciousness it creates. They will also find that the book is a delight to read."—William B. Bankston, Social Forces

Just when you thought you had it all figured out . . . "Alex Peter Gregory, you are a moron!" Laurie slammed her palms down on my desk and stomped her foot. I get a lot of that.One car crash.One measly little car crash. And suddenly, I'm some kind of convicted felon.My parents are getting divorced, my dad is shacking up with my third-grade teacher, I might be in love with a girl who could kill me with one finger, and now I'm sentenced to babysit some insane old guy.What else could possibly go wrong?This is the story of Alex Gregory, his guitar, his best gal pal Laurie, and the friendship of a lifetime that he never would have expected.

Don’t drink and drive. It's a deceptively simple rule, but one that is all too often ignored. And while efforts to eliminate drunk driving have been around as long as automobiles, every movement to keep drunks from driving has hit some alarming bumps in the road. Barron H. Lerner narrates the two strong—and vocal—sides to this debate in the United States: those who argue vehemently against drunk driving, and those who believe the problem is exaggerated and overregulated. A public health professor and historian of medicine, Lerner asks why these opposing views exist, examining drunk driving in the context of American beliefs about alcoholism, driving, individualism, and civil liberties. Angry and bereaved activist leaders and advocacy groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving campaign passionately for education and legislation, but even as people continue to be killed, many Americans remain unwilling to take stronger steps to address the problem. Lerner attributes this attitude to Americans’ love of drinking and love of driving, an inadequate public transportation system, the strength of the alcohol lobby, and the enduring backlash against Prohibition. The stories of people killed and maimed by drunk drivers are heartrending, and the country’s routine rejection of reasonable strategies for ending drunk driving is frustratingly inexplicable. This book is a fascinating study of the culture of drunk driving, grassroots and professional efforts to stop it, and a public that has consistently challenged and tested the limits of individual freedom. Why, despite decades and decades of warnings, do people still choose to drive while intoxicated? One for the Road provides crucial historical lessons for understanding the old epidemic of drunk driving and the new epidemic of distracted driving.

For even the most seasoned DUI lawyers, defending drunk driving cases has always presented special challenges. Today, mounting a successful drunk driving defense is more difficult than ever. That's why DWI attorneys rely on Drunk Driving Defense . Written by Lawrence Taylor and Steven Oberman, Drunk Driving Defense is generally considered to be the standard-bearing reference in the field. Clear explanations of key scientific and technological issues for DUI lawyers Drunk Driving Defense ensures that you Understand The chemical, biological and technological concepts and issues underlying drunk driving defense and prosecution. Rely on expert DUI lawyers Taylor and Oberman to bring you up to speed in key areas including: The key defects inherent in blood and breath analysis and testing. The correlation between blood alcohol concentration and actual impairment. The effects of stress and cold weather on alcohol absorption. How fermentation of the blood sample may raise blood alcohol levels. The effect of acetone in breath tests taken by diabetics and dieters. Possible errors in breath analysis due to RFI (radio frequency interference). The effect of trauma from an automobile accident on alcohol elimination Dozens of Practical DWI attorney tools to streamline and simplify drunk driving defense preparation Drunk Driving Defense, Sixth Edition contains dozens of practical tools to streamline and simplify the complex DUI defense process. And now, they are all included on a free bonus DWI Lawyer Resources CD-ROM so you can locate, review, and print them out in a matter of seconds, including: Dozens of quick-reference checklists to help DUI lawyers avoid critical missteps. Sample drunk driving defense motions including those to help DU I lawyers to facilitate discovery, appoint chemical experts, and suppress blood alcohol evidence. More than 150 pages of verbatim direct and DWI attorney cross testimony and statements. Sample arrest reports, instrument instructions and other forms use by police agencies. Comprehensive DWI attorney-client interview questionnaires for DUI lawyers. Detailed operator's manuals For The most current blood alcohol testing equipment: including the Intoxilyzer 8000. Try Drunk Driving Defense Risk-Free for 30 days. Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied, simply return it to us. FREE SHIPPING! Domestic Ground Shipping is Free when you pay by credit card

This unique volume discusses research, policy, and treatment approaches to one of America’s most serious problems--the drunk driver. The authors--many of the countries most dedicated professionals from academic, research, correctional, public health, and judicial system backgrounds--present an extraordinary array of creative and thought-provoking approaches to the drunk driver. Their thorough descriptions will help you better understand the drunk driver, and their exploration of new sentencing and treatment strategies provides a comprehensive look at the options to confronting and solving the problem of alcohol and traffic safety in the United States. Chapters challenge many long-held assumptions about those who drink and drive; address policy issues; examine the need for culturally specific education and training programs for police, court officials, and human service providers; and offer helpful suggestions for designing programs for women and adolescent offenders.