Under legislation enacted in 1931, offenders dangerous to private or public safety could be confined in a separate institution for recidivists after their sentences had expired.
Bigger gains could be made by targeting recidivist drunk drivers, who caused most of the accidents, through increased penalties and car seizures, the report said.
Other provisions related to the defense of insanity and diminished capacity, harsher punishments for recidivists and the limitation of plea bargaining.