Mississippi - DUI Call Back Detail

Project Characteristics

DUI Enforcement

Program Areas

Police Traffic Services

Type of Jurisdiction

State

Targeted Population

DUI Offenders

Jurisdiction Size

2,844,658

Funding

Section 402: $268,869
State: $391,679

Contact

Kim Proctor, Director
Office of Hwy Safety
Div. of Public Safety Planning
3755 I-55 N. Frontage Rd.
Jackson, MS 39211
(601) 987-4990
(601 987-4154 fax

Digest Listing

MISSISSIPPI
DUI Call Back Detail

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

While progress has been made in reducing alcohol-related traffic crashes in Mississippi, alcohol was a contributing factor in 37.5 percent or, 356 of the 949 fatal crashes in 2000. Arrests were made to 31,681 motorists driving under the influence (DUI), with out-of-state drivers accounting for 24 percent of those arrests. DUI has been a persistent problem in Mississippi and it continues to be a major highway safety issue.

The Mississippi Highway Safety Patrol (MHSP) has jurisdiction over all Mississippi rural interstates, including approximately 11,000 miles of federal and state highways. Historically, MHSP highways account for approximately 55 percent of traffic fatalities each year. During 2000, there were 507 highway fatalities out of a total of 949 (53.4 percent).

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

In an effort to increase highway safety, law enforcement agencies throughout the state have increased the level of DUI enforcement in Mississippi. Furthermore, the MHSP started a DUI Task Force that would cover the state focusing on highly traveled areas, such as roads leading to and from the casino areas. The goals and objectives were to:

Start a DUI Call Back Detail that creates the perception that motorists who are driving impaired or under the influence will be arrested;
Implement statewide media coverage to let the public know that MHSP will be intensifying the enforcement of impaired driving and setting up roadblocks for DUI monitoring; and
Reduce underage drinking.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES

The DUI Call Back Details are used for special DUI enforcement in highly traveled areas, such as roads leading to and from the casino areas. The details conduct speed enforcement, DUI enforcement, and occupant restraint enforcement. The details utilize troopers, city police, county sheriff deputies and county constables to work in targeted areas at problem times in each of the nine MHSP districts. The MHSP coordinates with other agencies in the media campaign to stress the benefits of using child safety seats correctly and enforcing Mississippi’s Child Restraint and Occupant Protection Law.

The Call Back Details started October 2000 and ran continuously through September 30, 2001, with special emphasis placed on all the highly traveled holiday seasons.

RESULTS

Alcohol-related fatalities decreased by 27 percent (from 385 in 2000 to 282 in 2001). The call back details were a contributing factor in reducing fatal and injury crashes on Mississippi roads. Fatalities on MHSP roads decreased 25 percent (from 508 in 2000 to 379 in 2001). The efforts of the MHSP also contributed to the overall State reduction in fatalities of 17 percent (from 949 in 2000 to 780 in 2001).

NHTSA