| *TRAFFIC TECH* |
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|                | Technology Transfer SeriesNumber 90, March           1995 |

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## FUNDING   IMPAIRED DRIVING PROGRAMSGUIDELINES,   STATE SUMMARIES, MATRIX, AND CASE STUDIES

The National Highway   Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), collaborated with the National Associa-tion   of Governors' Highway Safety Representatives (NAGHSR), to conduct a study of   funding that supports statewide impaired driving programs. 

The primary goal for this project   was to document the current status of legislated funding systems for impaired   driving countermeasure programs in the states. 

The Mayatech Corporation updated   NHTSA's *A Guide to Self-Sufficient Funding of Alcohol Traffic Safety Programs*,   first published in 1983. This guide summarized the experiences of cities, coun-ties,   and states that had achieved self-sufficiency for their Alcohol Safety Action   Projects by tapping funding sources other than general state funds. They reviewed   local, state, and national data on legislated funding, reviewed published materials,   analyzed primary data collected from the states by NAGHSR, reviewed state applications   for funding under Section 410 of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency   Act of 1991, visited five sites, and interviewed states with exemplary funding   systems. 

The poster size *State Funding   Matrix* lists legislated funding sources by state for drunk and drugged driving   programs that are being funded by fines, fees, assessments, surcharges, or taxes.   There is a summary of each state's 1992 impaired driving programs supported   by legislated funding sources. There are also case studies of ten states with   exemplary legislated funding systems for their respective programs.  

States and local communities who   want to initiate or improve their own funding systems for impaired driving programs   will find the guidelines and resource manual helpful. The *Funding   Impaired Driving Programs* material is grouped into four manuals.

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 *Volume 1, Guidelines     Manual*

*Volume 2, Funding Matrix     and Summaries of**State     Programs*

*Volume 3, State Case Studies*

*Volume 4, Technical Report:     Update of Financial**Self-Sufficiency     Study and Guidelines*

A sample of guidelines for successful   implementa-tion and promotion of legislated funding sources for impaired driving   programs include the following.

- The most successful state programs combine self-sufficiency funding with     a comprehensive prevention and deterrence program.    
- Program self-sufficiency should be viewed as a goal that can be approached     in increments.    
- Self-sufficient funding mechanisms for impaired driving programs will generally     foster more public support than those that rely on general tax revenues.    
- Legislatively-mandated dedication of funds is a generally more reliable     way of assuring that money will be spent for the intended purpose.    
- Whenever possible, it is preferable to use existing authority to generate     earmarked funds instead of embarking on new legislation.    
- Accountability of funds is critical at all levels of the system to the success     and survival of a self-sufficient funding system.    
- Strategies for funding program components should be tailored to the individual     state.    
- Two strategies that maximize that funds actually reach the intended destination     are improved tracking of the revenues, and minimizing the amount diverted     for administrative purposes.    
- Court systems are one of the primary locations where revenues are collected,     and they continue to be a major concern about leaks in the funding system.    
- More use of reciprocal agreements between states may result in higher collection     of fees and fines from DUI violators who change their state of residence and     avoid paying assessments.    
- The amount of charges that can be assessed without negatively affecting     the rate of payment must be continually monitored.    
- There is no substitute for high profile recognition of the efforts of people     involved in comprehensive impaired driving programs. 

The three technical assistance   manuals, Volumes 1 through 3, and the poster size Funding Matrix are useful   for state traffic safety leaders, legislators, and private citizens who are   looking for ways to achieve greater self-sufficiency in their states. The technical   report (Volume 4) describes the methodology used to develop the three technical   assistance manuals. Future NHTSA work includes a workshop curriculum guide on   this topic. A pilot workshop will be held in the Spring of 1995. 

For a copy of *Volumes   1, 2, 3, or 4 of Funding Impaired Driving Programs*, or the *State   Funding Matrix*, or for more information about this project, contact   Akua K. Opokuwaa, Special Programs Division, NTS-22, 400 Seventh Street, S.W.,   Washington, DC 20590, or send a fax to (202) 366-2766.

 

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 U.S. Department   of TransportationNational   HighwayTraffic   SafetyAdministration400 Seventh Street, S.W. NTS-33Washington, DC 20590

Traffic   Tech is a publication to disseminate information   about traffic safety programs, including   evaluations, innovative programs, and   new publications. Feel free to copy it as you wish.

If you would like to receive a   copy contact: 

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Linda Cosgrove, Ph.D., Editor,         Evaluation Staff Traffic     Safety Programs(202) 366-2759