THE IMPACT OF MAIL CONTACT STRATEGY ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DRIVER LICENSE WITHDRAWAL

The California Department of Motor Vehicles currently uses first-class mail to notify drivers of a suspension or revocation of their driving privilege. The served drivers are instructed to sign and return the o rder and any driver's license to the department, thereby establishing proof of the driver's knowledge of the order. The establishment of pro of is considered essential in the prosecution of drivers cited for ope rating a motor vehicle while under a suspension or revocation (Califor nia Vehicle Code Section 14601). However, past research indicates that a majority of drivers fail to comply with the order. In an attempt to increase proof rates, the present study developed and evaluated a num ber of mailing strategies for various categories of suspensions and re vocations. Among the mailing factors evaluated were (1) use of certifi ed mail, (2) use of a follow-up contact, (3) use of a postage paid ret urn envelope and (4) masking the Department of Motor Vehicles return a ddress of the certified mail action notice. The results indicate that there are significant differences between the type of mail contact emp loyed as well as between the different categories of suspension or rev ocation reason. The most effective strategies (certified mail, return receipt requested) resulted in proof rates of approximately 60-70% com pared to approximately 25% for the current first-class mailing procedu re. An analysis of subsequent driving records indicated that certified mail also increased the percentage of convictions which were prosecut ed af 14601 violations, while decreasing the total number of entries ( convictions and accidents) accumulated during suspension or revocation . Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.