Research Studies & Reports
DMV’s Research & Development Branch has been conducting research and producing studies and reports since the 1950s. Research & Development reports help DMV to measure the impact of new laws on making drivers safer. We also identify areas where we can improve our processes, explore new approaches to solving existing problems, and branch out into new opportunities to serve you better.
Studies & Reports Sections
Studies and reports are assigned to a Section that best describes the type of report. Click on a section title below to see a short description.
I. Driver Education & Training Studies
II. Driver Licensing Screening Studies
III. Studies on Improvement and Control of Deviant Drivers
IV. Basic Research & Methodological Studies: Driver Performance, Accident Etiology, Prediction Models, and Actuarial Applications
V. Driver Licensing / Control Systems & Safety Management Studies
VI. Studies on Special Driver Populations
VII. Miscellaneous Studies & Reports
Request printed copies of studies and reports by mail at:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Research and Development Branch
2415 1st Ave. Mail Station: F-126
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 914-8125
Note Please include the report number, the number of copies requested, and your name, address, and phone number.
| Report ID | Date Published | Title | Section | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NRN086 | 1996/ 01 |
The Relationship Between Age-Related Functional Disability and Road SafetyTo define the relationship between aging and safe driving for use by General Motors and NHTSA in establishing research funding priorities. |
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| 252 | 2017/ 02 |
Crash Risks of Drivers with Physical and Mental (P&M) Conditions and Changes in Crash Rates Over TimeThis study reviews recent research evaluating traffic safety in individuals diagnosed with epilepsy, syncope, dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease, diabetes, and sleep disorders. Additionally, this study evaluates the crash risk of drivers identified as having a physical or mental condition which may affect their ability to drive safely, and compared these findings to previous DMV reports which evaluated crash risk in this population. Research has repeatedly demonstrated that these drivers have a higher crash rate relative to the general population of drivers (Janke, Peck, & Dryer, 1978; Janke, 1993; Mitchell & Gebers, 2001). Crash rates for all drivers referred to DMV for a medical condition in the 2007 calendar year, and were assigned a P&M code (alcohol, drugs, lack of skill, lapses of consciousness, mental condition, or physical conditions) on their driving record were compared to crash rates for the general population of drivers. The mean crash rate for each of the P&M groups was higher than both the general population of drivers (7 per 100 drivers) and males under 25 (10 per 100 drivers). Relative to prior DMV studies, mean crash rates for drivers with a P&M designation of drug addiction, lapses of consciousness, and mental condition had dropped. A logistic regression where age and sex were controlled demonstrated an increased crash risk for each of the P&M conditions ranging from 2.8 to 13.3 times higher than the general population, with individuals with a mental condition having the lowest odds ratio and lack of skill having the highest odds ratio. The odds ratios for all conditions were higher than observed in prior DMV studies. One reason for this increase was an observed decrease in crash rates for the general population of drivers which did not correspond to a drop in crash rates for drivers with a P&M condition. Future research needs to evaluate the specific medical conditions within each P&M designation to better understand the relationship between medical conditions and crash risk in this population of drivers. |
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| 256 | 2018/ 10 |
2016 Annual Report of the California DUI Management Information SystemIn this twenty-fifth annual legislatively-mandated report, 2013 and 2014 driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs (DUI) data from diverse sources were compiled and cross-referenced for the purpose of developing a single comprehensive DUI data reference and monitoring system. This report presents cross-tabulated information on DUI arrests, convictions, court sanctions, license suspension/revocation actions, and alcohol- or drug-involved crashes. In addition, this report provides 1-year proportions of DUI recidivism and crash rates for first and second DUI offenders arrested in each year over a time period of 24 years. Also, the long-term recidivism curves of the cumulative proportions of DUI reoffenses are shown for all DUI offenders arrested in 1994. Two analyses were conducted to evaluate if referrals to DUI programs were associated with reductions in 1-year subsequent DUI incidents and crashes among those convicted of the reduced charge of alcohol- or drug-related reckless driving, and if referrals to the 9-month DUI program were associated with reductions in 1-year subsequent DUI incidents and crashes when compared to referrals to the 3-month DUI program among first DUI offenders. The proportions of convicted first and second DUI offenders arrested in 2013, who were referred, enrolled, and completed DUI programs are also presented. |
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| 167 | 1997/ 01 |
THE SPECIFIC DETERRENT IMPACT OF CALIFORNIA’S 0.08% BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION LIMIT AND ADMINISTRATIVE PER SE LICENSE SUSPENSION LAWSThis project evaluated the impact of two new California driving-under-the-influence (DUI) laws on the subsequent alcohol-related accident and recidivism rates of apprehended DUI offenders. The first law, effective January 1, 1990, reduced the state’s illegal per se blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit to 0.08% and the second, effective just six months later, on July 1, 1990, imposed an administrative per se (APS) pre-conviction license suspension on arrested DUI offenders. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the specific deterrent impact of the new laws by comparing the subsequent recidivism and alcohol-related accident rates of DUI offenders arrested before and after implementation of the new laws. |
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| 169 | 1997/ 01 |
1998 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA DUI MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMIn this seventh annual legislatively mandated report, 1995 and 1996 DUI data from diverse sources were compiled and cross-referenced for the purpose of developing a single comprehensive DUI data and monitoring system. This report presents crosstabulated information on DUI arrests, convictions, court sanctions, administrative actions and alcohol-involved accidents. In addition, this report provides an evaluation of the effectiveness of alternative court and administrative sanctions (including alcohol treatment programs and license actions) upon the postconviction records of first and second DUI offenders. The postconviction driving records of DUI offenders arrested in 1989, 1993, and 1995 were evaluated for seven-, three-, and one-year periods, respectively. |
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| 188 | 2001/ 01 |
2001 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA DUI MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMIn this tenth annual legislatively mandated report, 1998 and 1999 DUI data from diverse sources were compiled and cross-referenced for the purpose of developing a single comprehensive DUI data reference and monitoring system. This report presents crosstabulated information on DUI arrests, convictions, court sanctions, administrative actions and alcohol-involved accidents. In addition, this report provides an evaluation of the effectiveness of alternative court and administrative sanctions (including alcohol treatment programs and license actions) upon the 1-year postconviction records of first and second DUI offenders over a time period of nine years. The postconviction driving records of second DUI offenders arrested in 1996 and 1998 were evaluated for three- and one-year periods, respectively. |
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| 224 | 2008/ 01 |
2008 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA DUI MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMIn this seventeenth annual legislatively-mandated report, 2005 and 2006 DUI data from diverse sources were compiled and cross-referenced for the purpose of developing a single comprehensive DUI data reference and monitoring system. This report presents cross tabulated information on DUI arrests, convictions, court sanctions, administrative actions and alcohol-involved crashes. In addition, this report provides 1-year proportions of DUI recidivism and crash rates for first and second DUI offenders arrested in each year over a time period of sixteen years. Also, the longterm recidivism curves of the cumulative proportions of DUI reoffenses are shown for all DUI offenders arrested in 1994. Analyses were conducted on the effectiveness of alcohol education programs upon the 1-year postconviction records of those convicted of the reduced charge of alcohol-related reckless driving, and on the effectiveness of the 3-month versus 6-month alcohol education programs on the 1-year postconviction records of first offenders. Two additional subanalyses were conducted to determine if differences on the outcome measures were related to BAC level (below 0.20% and 0.20% and above). The proportions of 2005 convicted first and second offenders who were referred to alcohol education/treatment programs are also presented. |
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| 231 | 2010/ 01 |
2010 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA DUI MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMIn this nineteenth annual legislatively-mandated report, 2007 and 2008 DUI data from diverse sources were compiled and cross-referenced for the purpose of developing a single comprehensive DUI data reference and monitoring system. This report presents crosstabulated information on DUI arrests, convictions, court sanctions, administrative actions and alcohol-involved crashes. In addition, this report provides 1-year proportions of DUI recidivism and crash rates for first and second DUI offenders arrested in each year over a time period of 18 years. Also, the long-term recidivism curves of the cumulative proportions of DUI reoffenses are shown for all DUI offenders arrested in 1994. Analyses were conducted on the effectiveness of DUI programs in reducing 1-year subsequent violations and crashes of those convicted of the reduced charge of alcohol-related reckless driving, and on the effectiveness of the 3-month versus 9-month DUI programs for first offenders. Two additional subanalyses were conducted to determine if differences in the outcome measures were related to BAC level (below 0.20% and 0.20% and above). The proportions of 2007 convicted first and second offenders who were referred, enrolled, and completed DUI programs are also presented. |
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| 239 | 2012/ 09 |
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN JAIL SENTENCES AND JAIL TERMS ACTUALLY SERVED AMONG DUI OFFENDERS IN SELECTED CALIFORNIA COUNTIESRecords of 32.7% of California’s DUI offenders convicted in 2006, who received jail or a jail alternative sentence, were used to compare jail terms at sentencing to actual jail time served, and to describe used alternative sanctions to jail. County data systems’ variation, tracking methods, quality and completeness of data, and lack of communication between Courts and Sheriff’s Departments limited sample size and representativeness. Percentages of jail time served across participating counties ranged from 0 to 67% for 1st offenders, 0 to 47% for 2nd offenders, and 0 to 67% for 3rd+ offenders. Median percentages of jail sentences actually served across participating counties were 0%, 19%, and 38% for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd+ offenders, respectively. Alternative sentences were used more often on 1 st DUI offenders, less so on 2 nd offenders, and least often on 3 rd offenders. The most popular alternative sentences in lieu of jail options were Sheriff’s Work Program and Caltrans Work Program. Jail sentences reported to DMV greatly overstate amount of jail time actually served by DUI offenders. Further evaluation of effectiveness of jail time served by California DUI offenders is not possible at present because California’s DUI Offender Tracking System does not keep good track of offenders. Recommendations are: results from previous California DMV studies and/or studies from other states showing jail terms as ineffective in reducing alcohol-involved crashes or DUI recidivism should be taken with caution; efforts should be made so California’s DUI Offender Tracking System is consistent with NHTSA’s 2006 guidelines; DMV’s court abstract collection system should require jail terms keyed in, if disposition code “J” is present; DMV’s JAG project to assess accuracy and timeliness of DUI conviction data sent to DMV should be finished, and its findings used in conjunction of this study’s findings to enable the implementation of recommendations from NHTSA’s 2011 California Traffic Records Assessment. |
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| 243 | 2013/ 01 |
2013 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA DUI MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMIn this twenty-second annual legislatively-mandated report, 2010 and 2011 DUI data from diverse sources were compiled and cross-referenced for the purpose of developing a single comprehensive DUI data reference and monitoring system. This report presents crosstabulated information on DUI arrests, convictions, court sanctions, administrative actions, and alcohol-involved crashes. In addition, this report provides 1-year proportions of DUI recidivism and crash rates for first and second DUI offenders arrested in each year over a time period of 21 years. Also, the long-term recidivism curves of the cumulative proportions of DUI reoffenses are shown for all DUI offenders arrested in 1994. Two analyses were conducted to evaluate if referrals to DUI programs were associated with reductions in 1-year subsequent violations and crashes among those convicted of the reduced charge of alcohol-related reckless driving, and if referrals to the 9-month DUI program were associated with reductions in 1-year subsequent violations and crashes when compared to referrals to the 3-month DUI program among first DUI offenders. The proportions of convicted first and second DUI offenders arrested in 2010, who were referred, enrolled, and completed DUI programs are also presented. |
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