Steering Towards Safety: An Impact Evaluation of the Center for Justice Innovation’s Driver Accountability Program

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

Ten years after the start of Vision Zero in NYC, traffic violence continues to injure tens of thousands of people on NYC streets each year, killing hundreds. At the same time, punitive responses to driving offenses fail to address the underlying problems that lead to unsafe driving, and interaction with the criminal legal system has negative consequences for health, economic well-being, employment, housing, and other domains. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the Center for Justice Innovation’s “Driver Accountability Program” (DAP), a 90-minute group session, rooted in the principles of restorative justice and self-reflection, available to individuals charged with driving offenses in New York City. We examined the impact of DAP referral on driving-related recidivism over a two year-period, and case dismissal, noting differences in outcomes between individuals referred to DAP and a matched comparison group. Sample members were matched using propensity score matching, and outcomes were assessed using multivariate logistic regression. The models revealed a statistically significant effect of DAP referral on both recidivism and case dismissal, suggesting that DAP is successful at achieving its two primary aims: improving traffic safety in NYC and reducing the harms of criminal legal system involvement.

Authors

• Hannah Strong, The Center for Justice Innovation

• Danielle Reynolds, The Center for Justice Innovation

• Jeffrey Sharlein, The Center for Justice Innovation