Hamilton County (Ohio) Ignition Interlock Device Program
Problems addressed
Driving under the influence of substances
Recidivism
Effectiveness

Promising

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Promising

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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 consists of installing ignition interlock devices in motor vehicles to measure the driver’s alcohol level before starting the car. The main objective is to prevent a drunk driver from operating the vehicle.
The program is aimed at offenders who have previous drunk driving charges or chronic alcoholics. The intervention consists of a device that connects the vehicle’s ignition system to a breathalyzer, which is programmed for continuous repetitions while the car is in operation.
If the driver fails one of these tests, the device activates the horn and lights until the breathalyzer test is completed.

Impact evaluations

This impact evaluation showed that the program led to a moderate reduction in the relapse rate associated with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended license or with no license. A quasi-experimental study used a sample of first-time offenders and offenders who recidivated two or more times in the past 10 years [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Morse, B. J. & Elliott, D. S. (1992). Effects of Ignition Interlock Devices on DUI Recidivism: Findings from a Longitudinal Study in Hamilton County, Ohio. Crime & Delinquency, 38(2), 131–157. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011128792038002001

Information source