This paper discusses breath alcohol ignition interlocks (BAIIs), the target population for their use, the best ways of using them, and how effective they can be. It first briefly reviews the history of the technology that led to BAIIs and related devices. When a BAII is wired into a car's ignition system, the car cannot start until its driver verifies by a properly conducted breath test that his blood alcohol content is below an accepted limit. A BAII is a sophisticated decision-making device, which must be able to operate unsupervised in a car. Five years experience with over 10,000 BAII installations has shown how they can operate successfully. In the USA, most people convicted of drink-driving, even for the first time, are problem drinkers, and represent an exceptionally large threat to road safety. It is relatively simple to put convicted drink-drivers, who are under the supervision of the court, on an interlock programme. To be effective, such a programme requires six specific features. In the USA, such programmes were begun in 1986, and over 4000 were active in late 1991. They very effectively prevent drink-drivers from driving, and should be applied to all offenders who are problem drinkers.
Abstract