A third to a half of all road deaths in developed nations involve alcohol. Many strategies to reduce public risk have been tried in the past 25 years including license suspension, alcohol treatment, vehicle impoundment, "scarlet letters" on tags, and probation monitoring among others. The first alcohol ignition interlock program was begun in California in 1987. The interlock alcohol ignition interlock program was begun in California in 1987. The interlock requires the driver to provide a low or alcohol-free breath sample before an engine will start. Interlocks are being used by the courts and motor vehicle departments as a bridge to relicensing for offenders charged with driving under the influence (DUI). Today, over two-thirds of the US States, parts of Canada and of Australia have a program or law authorizing the interlock. Sensible use of this technology has the potential to reduce harm both for society and for the convicted driver if monitoring programs actively link the publishing and helping systems. (A)
Abstract