“Sweeper” Patrols of Impaired Pedestrians

The purpose of this countermeasure is to keep alcohol-impaired pedestrians off the streets until they no longer have high BACs. This measure is intended to reduce the exposure of these at-risk pedestrians to traffic and can also address other social issues such as public intoxication and crime. One approach involves police “sweeper” squads and “support on call” programs involving taxis and trained escorts to get intoxicated people home or to a detoxification center. Such programs typically reach only a fraction of those people who need the services.

This countermeasure has not been systematically examined. There is insufficient evaluation data available to conclude that the countermeasure is effective.