Maryland Ignition Interlock Program
Problems addressed
Driving under the influence of substances
Effectiveness

Effective

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Effective

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Life periods served
Adults (18 to 59 years)
Where the program was applied
Community (streets or community centers)
Country of application
United States
Description

This program promotes the installation of a device that connects the vehicle’s ignition system to a breathalyzer. The aim is to prevent drivers from driving under the influence of alcohol, thereby reducing the number of traffic violations caused by drinking and driving.
It is aimed at drivers with multiple offenses committed under the influence of alcohol. Participating drivers receive a letter informing them that they have been selected for a driver’s license reinstatement if they agree to take part in the intervention.

Impact evaluations

An impact assessment showed that, after the 12-month follow-up period, 5.9% of the group that received the intervention and 9.1% of the control group that did not receive the intervention had committed at least one alcohol-related traffic offense [1].
Another study showed that, after the four-year follow-up period, the use of the device reduced the risk of new alcohol-related traffic offenses by 32% [2].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Beck, K. H., Rauch, W. J [W. J.], Baker, E. A. & Williams, A. F. (1999). Effects of ignition interlock license restrictions on drivers with multiple alcohol offenses: A randomized trial in Maryland. American Journal of Public Health, 89(11), 1696–1700. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.89.11.1696

[2] Rauch, W. J [William J.], Ahlin, E. M., Zador, P. L., Howard, J. M. & Duncan, G. D. (2011). Effects of administrative ignition interlock license restrictions on drivers with multiple alcohol offenses. Journal of Experimental Criminology, 7(2), 127–148. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11292-010-9118-0

Information source