(This resource corresponds to Module 3.)

The deterrent power of law enforcement comes from convincing the public that there is a substantial risk of being caught—and punished—for violating the law. In part, this is accomplished by visible and consistent enforcement: conducting compliance checks of retail establishments, arresting intoxicated drivers, breaking up underage drinking parties, and so forth. And, just as the likelihood of being caught influences people’s decisions to obey the law, so does their perception of the chances of being caught. For example, it has been estimated that the probability of a driver with a BAC of more than 0.10% being arrested is between 1/1,000 and ½,000—in other words, extremely low. However, surveys show that driver perceptions of the likelihood of being caught are closer to 1/10.¹ If the people who refrain from driving under the influence only for fear of being caught actually knew the low probability, they might be even more inclined to go ahead and drive.

Laws alone do not create a sufficient deterrent. To create a widespread perception of risk, the laws—and their corresponding punishments—must be publicized. Increasingly, with pressure from public health agencies and advocacy groups, retail establishments are brandishing posters, flyers, and other warnings stating that they will not sell alcohol or tobacco to underage customers.

Such posters, prominently displayed, typically contain strong language warning potential buyers of penalties for underage drinking or smoking, the health risks of substance abuse and impaired driving, and the consequences of providing alcohol to young people. They serve as reminders to both retailers and potential buyers. They also reinforce social norms suggesting that underage alcohol, tobacco, and drug use are dangerous and illegal, thereby attempting to change the broader social environment.
The threat of enforcement can also be made visible in other ways: placing patrol cars on highways; stationing police officers in bars and restaurants; designating and publicizing "Neighborhood Watch" areas; and incorporating community policing throughout high-risk neighborhoods, especially in locales frequented by young people.

References

1. Ross, H. L. (1992). Confronting drunk driving. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press