This research looked into the degree to which courts implemented California's ignition interlock program, and surveyed judges and district/city attorneys to identify barriers to implementing a successful interlock program. A 3-part evaluation was conducted in which: 1) drivers arrested for driving on a driving under the influence (DUI)-suspended license were examined to calculate the rate at which courts order interlocks for DUI-suspended drivers, 2) Department of Motor Vehicle records were used to count the statewide rate of court-ignition interlock device orders across time and jurisdictions, and 3) a survey was carried out with judges, attorneys, and offenders installing an interlock to obtain information about their use of interlock, barriers to implementation of an interlock program, and the effectiveness of the devices in preventing drinking and driving. It was found that conviction rates for driving while suspended are low; that judges order interlocks for only a fraction of convicted offenders driving-while-suspended who should receive such an order; and that the majority of offenders who are ordered by the court to install an ignition interlock in their vehicle do not do so. (Author/publisher)
Abstract