Drunk Driving: An American Dilemma (Studies in Crime and Justice) [Paperback]

James B. Jacobs (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0226389790 | ISBN-13: 978-0226389790 | Publication Date: December 15, 1992 | Edition: 1

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.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Drunk driving is a difficult subject to research. The literature is both wide ranging and of uneven quality. Jacobs (law, NYU) provides the best comprehensive synthesis on both academic research and evaluation of policy yet written. He reviews some of the myths and exaggerations that surround the problem and considers policies that might work. Included are higher fines, vehicle impoundment, home detention, safer cars, air bags, and the more widespread use of the Interlock System of in-car, breath-controlled ignition locks. This book is required reading for anyone whose job it is to know about drunk driving. Sure to become one of the major references covering highway safety and drunk driving.
- John Broderick, Stonehill Coll., North Easton, Mass.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

James B. Jacobs, a professor of law and director of the Center for Research in Crime and Justice at New York University, is the author of several books, including Stateville: The Penetentiary in Mass Society, also published by the University of Chicago Press.

Product Details

• Paperback: 282 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press; 1 edition (December 15, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226389790
• ISBN-13: 978-0226389790
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,938,990 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Factual Book, April 6, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Drunk Driving: An American Dilemma (Studies in Crime and Justice) (Paperback)

I read this book for a report, and I found it very factual and helpful. I don't think it would be the kind of book someone would just pick up and read. I would only read it if I wanted to research or find information on Drunk Driving.

5.0 out of 5 stars Hypocrisy--Too High a Price to Pay?, October 18, 2004

By 

Patrick Clinton (Fountain Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Drunk Driving: An American Dilemma (Studies in Crime and Justice) (Hardcover)

This book is a breath of fresh air in a world where hypocrisy runs
rampant. Political correctness applies to everyone else--never ourselves.
Conversely, Tayolor's treatment on this subject is more objective
and even-handed. His suggestions are not couched in
demagoguery but rather he seeks to resolve a
problem, that society in its short-sightedness has only
exacerbated.

Isn't it somewhat vindictive to slap a felony charge and
possibly a prison sentence on drunk drivers, especially when they
do not become involved in a collision? Moreover, even if they
do, it's just an accident, right? Drunk driving is currently
held as a felony in all 50 states. If such statutes are
justifiable, shouldn't the same venom that is thrust upon drunk
drivers also be spent on those whose driving becomes impaired by
fatigue or emotional distress? Furthermore, the same resources
spent on housing drunk drivers within prison walls, would be
better spent towards programs that administer to alcoholics,
treating the disease rather than just the symptoms. It seems
that the same government who passed and then repealed laws
governing Prohibition should again reconsider its position
concerning drunk driving.

I found this book very helpful in writing a research paper concerning
this issue. The ideas expressed here were not politically correct when
it was written, so the ideas here were met with skepticism.
Today, drinking and talking, is the latest rage as cell phone use
has proliferated; and so now maybe the P.C. police can reassess
their views concerning subjects of this sort.

Kudos all around for James Jacobs!

1 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars drunk and driving, March 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Drunk Driving: An American Dilemma (Studies in Crime and Justice) (Paperback)

taking away license or puting people in jai