Steps Taken to Curb Drunk Driving Produce Results

(Summer 2016) A recent study revealed that ignition interlock devices save lives. Data analysis showed that states mandating those found guilty of drunk driving to install the interlock device report a smaller number of alcohol-related crash fatalities than those that did not court-order the devices. In fact, states with interlock laws showed a 15% decline in drunk-driving related mortalities as opposed to states that did not require the interlocks for drivers with a DUI.

The research found that over 900 lives have been saved due to interlock devices between 2004 and 2013. The study’s lead author estimates that, if all states would implement this law, the number would jump to 2,600 lives spared.

Once an ignition interlock device is installed in a vehicle, the DUI offender must breathe into the machine before starting his or her vehicle. The device then calculates the individual’s blood alcohol level. If it is above a predetermined concentration limit, the device prevents the vehicle from starting. The interlock system sends a report to the manufacturer with the results of each blow, which tallies the number of drunk-driving attempts the machine has halted.

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 25 states mandate ignition interlocks for all DUI offenders. Every state in the country has some kind of interlock law, but some require them only for specific levels of offense and blood alcohol concentrations or provide for an individual judge’s discretion.

Another study concluded that other laws put in place have been responsible for a decline in underage drinking mortalities. Although the federal drinking age is 21, many states have put additional legislation in place concerning underage drinking. Researchers studied 20 such laws and concluded that nine of these were especially important in lowering the number of fatal crashes involving individuals under age 21. These include laws involving alcohol possession or purchase, loss of license for underage drinking, zero-tolerance for underage drivers with a .02 or higher blood alcohol concentration, fake ID support for retailers and civil liability for social hosts.

The analysis identified nine key laws that cumulatively helped save over 1,100 lives per year in the states implementing them. An additional 210 lives could be spared annually if they were enacted country-wide.

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