Increased police patrols to reduce drink-driving
Evidence-rated crime-reduction intervention (EMMIE).
Effect on crime
some reduction
Evidence quality
strong
Cost
low
What the evidence says
Increased police patrols involve raising the number of officers or increasing the frequency and duration of patrols to detect alcohol-impaired drivers based on behavioral cues. The evidence indicates some reduction in alcohol-related crashes, yet it has not demonstrated a statistically significant overall effect. Some studies report a decrease in crashes, while others show minimal impact on injuries and fatalities. The quality of evidence is strong, but many studies suffer from methodological flaws, leading to insufficient conclusions about effectiveness.
How it works
The intervention works by increasing the perceived and actual likelihood of being caught driving under the influence of alcohol, thereby reducing alcohol-related incidents. Increased patrols may be more effective when combined with other initiatives like sobriety checkpoints and media campaigns.
Implementation
Implementation can involve reallocating officers for enforcement, having them work extra hours, or hiring additional personnel, with variations in timing and intensity across studies.
Source: College of Policing Crime Reduction Toolkit (What Works Centre for Crime Reduction). Summarised 2026-07-15. BlueLineHub is independent and not affiliated with the College of Policing.