Tougher laws, treatment would deter DUIs

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Feb 4, 2010 at 9:58 AM MST

Story Updated: Feb 4, 2010 at 9:58 AM MST

MISSOULA - A University of Montana survey of people convicted of repeated DUIs found that tougher laws and chemical dependency treatment are the strongest deterrents to drunken driving.

Timothy Conley is an associate professor of social work at UM. He led a research team of students who surveyed 201 people convicted of felony drunken driving to determine what they believe would discourage Montanans from drinking and driving.

Inmates at the state men's and women's prisons and the state chemical dependency treatment programs say treatment is more effective than incarceration, and that the punishment for a first drunken driving offense isn't enough to deter a second.

Conley will discuss the study's findings with the state Legislature's Law and Justice Interim Committee next Monday. The committee is developing bills to introduce to the 2011 Legislature in an effort to help curb drunken driving.

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