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DUI/DWI Victim Impact Panels

by David J. Hanson, Ph.D.

Victim Impact Panels (VIPs) involve friends, relatives or victims themselves telling a group of DUI/DWI offenders the tragic outcomes of an alcohol-related traffic accident. A session is typically begun, moderated and ended by a low enforcement officer. The event is highly emotional and the main goal is to prevent offenders from driving again when impaired by alcohol. As Mothers Against Drunk Drivers explains, “The concept of the VIP is not for MADD to point fingers or to place blame, rather it is our effort to raise awareness and change the thinking and behavior of those present” 1. Offenders sometimes report that they will never again drive while impaired by alcohol.

Are Victim Impact Panels effective in actually reducing DUI/DWI? Apparently not, according to research. And there’s some evidence that in some cases they may even be counter-productive... worse than doing nothing.

To learn what really works and doesn‘t to prevent drunk driving, visit Drinking and Driving.

But in spite of their apparent failure, Victim Impact Panels have proven very effective in raising money for Mothers Against Drunk driving (MADD), which has operated them for many years. Judges frequently require attendance at a Victim Impact Panel as part of probation when they convict drivers for DUI/DWI. Because MADD determines the amount of the required “contribution,” Victim Impact Panels generate large sums of cash for the organization.

To learn more, visit Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

References and Readings