HD22 - Ignition Interlock Technology
Executive Summary: INTRODUCTION The problem of alcohol impaired drivers has plagued American society for years. Few issues have consumed as much time in the legislative assemblies of the states as how to minimize and control the abusive use of alcohol on the highways. This abuse has resulted in hundreds of deaths and injuries, along with large economic losses each year. In a country where the rights of the individual are protected and where a long tradition of limited government interference is respected, it is difficult to find statutory remedies that can arrest the problem and reduce the risks associated with alcohol impaired driving to tolerable levels. Harsh penalties often seem to result in low levels of enforcement. Less stringent penalties seem to bring increase arrests, but don't appear to strike fear in the hearts of offenders. For many persons, suspension or revocation of their operator's license merely results in unlicensed drivers on the highways. Educational and legislative efforts have been initiated to persuade and require motorists not to drive after consuming alcoholic beverages. In addition, judicial and administrative efforts have been directed toward the same goal. In spite of these efforts, drunken driving remains a serious social, economic, and highway safety problem. Technological advances have produced a novel, and as yet unproven, method of preventing the operation of a motor vehicle by an intoxicated operator: ignition interlock devices. Ignition interlock devices require a driver to provide an alveolar (deep lung) breath sample by blowing into the mouthpiece of a handheld unit for four to six seconds. The vehicle may be started only if the driver's blood alcohol content (BAC) is lower than the preset limit programmed into the interlock device. The ignition system of the vehicle will be rendered inoperable if the BAC of the driver is greater than the preset limit. The units are compact, easily installed, and easily removed without permanently damaging the vehicle. During the 1989 session of the Virginia General Assembly, a resolution was passed to evaluate existing ignition interlock programs, and study the feasibility of Virginia implementation and possible benefits to the Commonwealth. A copy of House Joint Resolution 378 is shown in Appendix A. Ignition interlock programs to date have been directed toward three groups of drivers convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI): recidivists, persons under 21 years of age and offenders with high BAC levels. As of July 1989, 16 states had passed legislation permitting the installation of ignition interlock devices: Alaska, California, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. All of these states use the ignition interlock device to supplement probation and/or restricted licensing. As with probation, the devices are installed at the discretion of the court. The implementation of successful ignition interlock programs will ultimately depend on the level of confidence the courts have that the devices will perform as designed. METHODOLOGY This report is a summary of information prepared by Charles Stokes and Cole Wilson of the Virginia Transportation Research Council. The project was carried out in several phases. First, a review of the literature was conducted to obtain background. Second, a comparative review was conducted of the statutes, rules and regulations of the states with ignition interlock legislation. And third, information from vendors regarding their technology, testing and installation requirements for ignition interlock devices was reviewed. Officials from state motor vehicle departments, police departments and highway safety representatives were contacted to obtain information regarding the status of current and proposed legislation. Vendors were contacted for technical information regarding the specifications, installation and operation of ignition interlock devices. In addition, technical information was obtained from publications of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and from states that had approved the use of ignition interlock devices. |
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