A comparative study of drink-driving is described, which aims to evaluate the use of ignition interlock technology in Sweden. Several Scandinavian organisations are collaborating in the study, which is partly motivated by a concern that drink-driving on Swedish roads will worsen when Sweden joins the European Community. About 200 subjects will be tested in cars with interlock devices, kept there for two years, and there will be the same number of control subjects. After two years, the differences between both groups will be tested on re-arrests for drink-driving, damage claims, and injuries. The test hypothesis is that requiring the use of an interlock is a safer measure against an offender than licence suspension. It is also predicted that alcohol habits will be improved more easily in the former case. Drivers in the interlock group will have their normal licences suspended for two months, during which they will receive special licences requiring them to drive only cars with interlocks.
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