A review of the use of alcohol ignition interlocks in Aboriginal organisations in Western Australia

Alcohol ignition interlocks have proven to be effective in preventing drink driving amongst repeat drink driving offenders while the device is fitted in an offender's vehicle. Given the over-representation of Aboriginal people in road crashes in Western Australia, alcohol interlocks could potentially play an important role in reducing this trauma. In late 1999 to early 2002 fifteen alcohol ignition interlocks were fitted to vehicles in the Office of Aboriginal Health and in Aboriginal organisations in Kalgoorlie, Derby, Broome and Esperance. The aim of this study was to interview community members who had used the interlocks, however it became apparent that alcohol ignition interlocks were actually fitted in vehicles driven by staff in the Aboriginal organisations involved in the interlock program. From this experience it is recommended that future use in Aboriginal organisations be targeted towards vehicles used by community members, not staff cars, where drink driving has been a problem. Further to this they should be only used in conjunction with drink driving education.