Although there have been trending reductions in impaired driving fatalities over the past few years, Driving While Impaired (DWI) arrests and impaired driving fatalities are still a problem in the US. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 9,967 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in 2014, which accounted for 31% of total fatal traffic crashes (NHTSA 2015). In 2015 NHTSA reported that 35,092 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes, an increase of 7.2 percent over the 32,744 fatalities reported in 2014. This is the largest percentage increase in nearly 50 years. Impaired driving is a serious problem in Minnesota. In 2014, 111 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes. This accounted for 31% of all traffic fatalities in Minnesota. In 2015, the number rose. One hundred thirty-seven people were killed, more than 2,203 were injured, and costs amounted to more than $285 million. In an attempt to deter motorists from driving while impaired and thereby enhancing road safety, the use of ignition interlocks became law in Minnesota on July 1, 2011 with Minnesota Statutes 171.306 - Ignition Interlock Device Program. Research has shown that interlock programs reduce the incidence of impaired driving when an interlock device is installed in the vehicle. A study of New Mexico’s interlock program found that offenders who participated in the program had a 61% lower recidivism rate while the device was in use in their vehicle, and a 39% lower recidivism rate following the removal of the interlock compared to offenders who never had the device installed (Marques et al. 2010). The goal of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of the interlock program in Minnesota and provide a comprehensive report to the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) based on the results of the evaluation. (Author/publisher)
Abstract