Evaluation of Minnesota’s Ignition Interlock Program

Minnesota sponsored a review of the effectiveness of the State’s ignition interlock device program in reducing recidivism among drivers convicted of driving while impaired (DWI) by alcohol. This study examined driver records and demographics, interlock device events and program violations/completions, and participants’ self-completed surveys about their experiences and success factors while on the program. A group of propensity score matched non-participants served as the basis for comparison of recidivism rates, or subsequent DWI arrests, for participants versus non-participants. Factors predicting interlock program failure include high Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC) upon arrest, test refusal, and number of prior violations. Older drivers, urban drivers, and (as expected) those with the fewest start-up or rolling retest violations during the program were the most likely to complete the program. Recidivism reaches a long-term (54 months post-program) rate of approximate 8% for program participants. Non-participants recidivate at roughly double that rate over the same period.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper was sponsored by TRB committee ANB50 Standing Committee on Alcohol, Other Drugs, and Transportation.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  ,    
• Authors:
  • Le, Thanh Q
  • Powell, Tara Casanova
  • Lucas, John Mark
  • Scopatz, Robert
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 98th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2019-1-13 to 2019-1-17
• Date: 2019

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: 6p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohol ignition interlock devices; Drunk driving; Highway safety; Recidivism; Traffic law enforcement
• Geographic Terms: Minnesota
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01698283
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 19-02894
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Mar 1 2019 3:51PM