Since 1991, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has offered states an opportunity to have an outside review team assess the state's efforts to control impaired driving.  An October 2004 NHTSA report summarizes the findings.  NHTSA made a total of 18 recommendations (for 12 states) under the heading "revise state alcohol beverage tax; use surcharges on DUI education, enforcement, prosecution, etc."

In addition to ND, NHTSA made alcohol tax* recommendations for MO, OR, CA, AZ, WI, TX, WV, MD, MI, CT, and NC.  Some states had more than one recommendation.  (*Tax seems to be loosely defined; some recommendations had to do with sales taxes, fees, and similar revenue-generating mechanisms.)

If you are in one of those states, the report is a great reference to include in your materials, as it is one more authority calling for changes to alcohol taxes to provide more dollars to prevent or treat alcohol harms.  You may also want to approach your state highway traffic safety agency to find out what it has done on the recommendation and to encourage further action.

Additionally, to enlist further support for your coalition's position on alcohol taxes, share the NHTSA recommendation with the following entities and individuals:
 

* governor
* key lawmakers, especially those on finance committees
* state AAA office
* state police/highway patrol
* other traffic safety groups
* if the issue is hot in your state, consider sharing the recommendation with journalists, as well

To see the recommendations for your state, go to Appendix D (page D-26) of the report by clicking here.

To read the full NHTSA report, click here.