00987738

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...nepubs/circulars/ec072.pdf

Present alcohol interlock systems consist of a small breath-testing device linked to the vehicle ignition system that requires the driver to provide a breath sample every time an attempt is made to start the vehicle. The interlock device prevents the vehicle from being started unless the driver provides a breath sample that reveals an alcohol concentration below the present threshold value--typically .02% (20 mg/dl). In the event the breath sample reveals a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in excess of the threshold value, the interlock prevents the vehicle from starting, and the driver must wait a period of time before trying again. At one level, the acceptability of interlocks depends on their ability to prevent a person with a high BAC from driving while at the same time allowing legitimate use of the vehicle by drivers who have a low or zero BAC. To ease these concerns, at least three government agencies have established standards or guidelines for interlock devices. Devices that meet these standards provide assurance to both the public and users that the device performs as expected and desired. Protection against potential circumvention of the device is also required by the standards. To meet these standards, interlock devices contain such features as temperature and pressure sensors (to guard against filtered or stored samples or samples introduced by mechanical devices), a data logger (to record all attempts to start the vehicle as well as the driver's BAC), and a running retest requirement (to guard against bystanders providing a sample as well as extended periods of idling). These features have helped to create an interlock device that does exactly what it is intended and expected to do, i.e., prevent drivers impaired by alcohol from operating the vehicle in which it is installed. However, overcoming the mental roadblock to the use of interlock devices remains a challenge.

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00987728

English

p. 71-82

2005-1

Transportation Research Circular

Putting Research Into Action: A Symposium on the Implementation of Research-Based Impaired Driving Countermeasures

References; Tables (1)

Acceptance; Alcohol ignition interlock devices; Countermeasures; Drunk driving; Impaired drivers; Implementation; Standards

Barriers to implementation

Highways; Research; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Mar 22 2005 12:00AM

• COMMENTARY ON "GENERAL THEORY ON TRANSLATING RESEARCH INTO POLICY AND PRACTICE"
• COMMENTARY ON "MINORITIES AND PRIMARY VERSUS SECONDARY BELT USE ENFORCEMENT"
• COMMENTARY ON "THE FALL AND RISE OF GRADUATED LICENSING IN NORTH AMERICA," "THE CASE FOR 0.08% PER SE LAWS," AND UNDERAGE DRINKING ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTER
• COMMENTARY ON "VEHICLE SANCTIONS FOR REPEAT DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED OFFENDERS" AND ON "CHALLENGES TO IGNITION INTERLOCK PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION"
• COMMENTARY ON ENFORCEMENT CHALLENGES
• GENERAL THEORY ON TRANSLATING RESEARCH INTO POLICY AND PRACTICE
• IMPLEMENTING IMPAIRED DRIVING COUNTERMEASURES: PUTTING RESEARCH INTO ACTION, A SYMPOSIUM, AUGUST 21-23, 2003, IRVINE, CALIFORNIA. FOREWORD
• MEASURING SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY ACTION IN ALCOHOL PREVENTION
• MINORITIES AND PRIMARY VERSUS SECONDARY BELT USE ENFORCEMENT
• PREVENTING ALCOHOL-RELATED PROBLEMS: PUBLIC POLICY STRATEGIES
• PUTTING RESEARCH INTO ACTION: SOBRIETY CHECKPOINTS SAVE LIVES
• THE CASE FOR 0.08% PER SE LAWS
• THE FALL AND RISE OF GRADUATED LICENSING IN NORTH AMERICA
• THE PASSPOINT SYSTEM--PASSIVE SENSORS AT MINICHECKPOINTS: BRINGING AUSTRALIA'S RANDOM BREATH TEST SYSTEM TO THE UNITED STATES
• THE PROBLEM DRIVER DETECTION SYSTEM: A BRIEF INTRODUCTION
• VEHICLE SANCTIONS FOR REPEAT DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED OFFENDERS: FACTORS THAT FACILITATE OR IMPEDE THEIR ADOPTION OR IMPLEMENTATION