Alcohol Ignition Interlocks in All New Vehicles: A Broader Perspective

Objective: To discuss the implications of widespread implementation of alcohol ignition interlocks. Method: We base our discussion on data from Finland including crash statistics and surveys collected from criminal justice professionals and general driving population. Results: Alcohol ignition interlocks are an effective preventive measure against drunk driving when installed in the vehicles of convicted drunk drivers. However, once they are removed from the vehicles, drivers typically return to their habit of drinking and driving. Furthermore, for a number of reasons, the proportion of convicted drunk drivers that install an interlock in their vehicles is quite small. Therefore, many stakeholders believe that the solution to the drunk driving problem will come when interlocks become standard equipment in all new vehicles. However, drunk driving is a complex sociopsychological problem, and technology can rarely offer a solution to such complex problems. Consequently, many aspects of such interventions might be difficult to identify and include in cost–benefit analysis. Conclusion: We express caution about requiring an interlock as standard equipment in all new vehicles.

[1]  N. Bellamy,et al.  Alcohol ignition interlock programmes for reducing drink driving recidivism. , 2004, The Cochrane database of systematic reviews.

[2]  Kristie Lee Young,et al.  ACCEPTABILITY OF IN-VEHICLE INTELLIGENT TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS TO YOUNG NOVICE DRIVERS IN NEW SOUTH WALES , 2003 .

[3]  Joseph E. Aldy,et al.  The Value of a Statistical Life: A Critical Review of Market Estimates Throughout the World , 2003 .

[4]  D. Chisholm,et al.  Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of policies and programmes to reduce the harm caused by alcohol , 2009, The Lancet.

[5]  Bo Bjerre,et al.  Positive health-care effects of an alcohol ignition interlock programme among driving while impaired (DWI) offenders. , 2007, Addiction.

[6]  Susan A Ferguson,et al.  Alcohol-Impaired Driving in the United States: Contributors to the Problem and Effective Countermeasures , 2012, Traffic injury prevention.

[7]  Munt,et al.  Simulated driving performance following prolonged wakefulness and alcohol consumption: separate and combined contributions to impairment , 2000, Journal of sleep research.

[8]  Brian N Fildes,et al.  Cost-Benefit Analysis of an Alcohol Ignition Interlock for Installation in all Newly Registered Vehicles , 2009, Traffic injury prevention.

[9]  Bo Bjerre,et al.  Primary prevention of drink driving by the large-scale use of alcolocks in commercial vehicles. , 2008, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[10]  Siobhan Banks,et al.  Low levels of alcohol impair driving simulator performance and reduce perception of crash risk in partially sleep deprived subjects. , 2004, Sleep.

[11]  James L Nichols,et al.  Effectiveness of designated driver programs for reducing alcohol-impaired driving: a systematic review. , 2005, American journal of preventive medicine.

[12]  Maree Barnes,et al.  The interactive effects of extended wakefulness and low-dose alcohol on simulated driving and vigilance. , 2007, Sleep.

[13]  Randy W. Elder,et al.  Effectiveness of ignition interlocks for preventing alcohol-impaired driving and alcohol-related crashes: a Community Guide systematic review. , 2011, American journal of preventive medicine.

[14]  Jenni Radun,et al.  Fatigued driving and the law. Prosecutors´and police officers´views , 2010 .

[15]  Heikki Summala,et al.  Drinking and driving “safely”: Who uses a breathalyzer and when? , 2009 .

[16]  Ted R. Miller,et al.  Values of Risk Reduction Implied by Motorist Use of Protection Equipment New Evidence from Different Populations , 1996 .

[17]  Ari Sirkia,et al.  Adoption of the alcohol interlock and its effects in professional transport , 2012 .

[18]  Dariusz Zuba.  Accuracy and reliability of breath alcohol testing by handheld electrochemical analysers. , 2008, Forensic science international.

[19]  P R Marques,et al.  The Alberta Interlock Program: the evaluation of a province-wide program on DUI recidivism. , 1999, Addiction.

[20]  H M Simpson,et al.  Hard Core Drinking Drivers , 2004, Traffic injury prevention.

[21]  Narelle L. Haworth,et al.  Acceptability of In-Vehicle Intelligent Transport Systems to Young Novice Drivers in NSW , 2003 .

[22]  Anne T McCartt,et al.  Attitudes Toward In-Vehicle Advanced Alcohol Detection Technology , 2010, Traffic injury prevention.

[23]  Bo Bjerre.  Primary and secondary prevention of drink driving by the use of alcolock device and program: Swedish experiences. , 2005, Accident; analysis and prevention.

[24]  Ossi Rahkonen,et al.  The association between social determinants and drunken driving: a 15-year register-based study of 81,125 suspects. , 2011, Alcohol and alcoholism.

[25]  Robert B Voas,et al.  Barriers to Interlock Implementation , 2003, Traffic injury prevention.

[26]  Erika Chamberlain,et al.  The challenges of implementing interlock best practices in a federal state: the Canadian experience , 2012, Injury Prevention.

[27]  Sally Cunningham.  Driving Offences: Law, Policy and Practice , 2008 .

[28]  Susan A. Ferguson,et al.  Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) - Phase I Prototype Testing and Findings , 2011 .