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Technology: Interlock Devices

IGNITION INTERLOCKS

50 STATES IS OUR GOAL

One of the goals in MADD’s campaign to eliminate drunk driving is to pass ignition interlock laws in every state. Only 28 states and District of Columbia have passed enhanced offenders ignition interlock laws, leaving us with 22 states that still have to pass the law. MADD’s priority is to get ignition interlock for all convicted drunk drivers. Ignition interlocks offers protection for innocent people on the road and for the driver behind the wheel as well by preventing the car from starting if the driver is under the influence. Looking at the statistics, we see that ignition interlock laws works. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention find interlocks reduce repeat drunk driving offenses by 67 percent and states that have passed all-offender interlock laws have seen up to 50 percent decrease in drunk driving deaths. We have previously seen that suspending license has not worked. MADD is fighting for ignition interlock over license suspension, because the device monitors the behavior of the offenders. Interlocks are able to protect the innocent lives on the roads while letting offenders continue with their daily lives.

Statistics and Facts

* On average one in three people will be affected in some way, shape or form in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime.

* Every 90 seconds someone is injured in a drunk driving crash.

* In 2015, one person died every 51 minutes because of drunk driving. Making that 10,265 deaths due to drunk driving.

* Average drunk drivers have driven drunk 87 times before a first arrest

* 50 to 75 percent of convicted drunk drivers continue to drive with a suspended license.

* Interlocks help reduce repeat offenses even after the device is removed by 39 percent compared to offenders who never had interlocks installed.

* As of August 2015, there are approximately 328,743 interlocks in use in the United States.

* Drunk driving deaths have declined by at least 20 percent in the states West Virginia, New Mexico, Kansas, Louisiana, Arizona and Hawaii.

* DUI deaths decreased by 15% in states that enacted all-offender interlock laws.

The Grumers Story

Interlock Ignition can save many lives and stop serious injuries for innocent people. A couple in South Florida, the Grumers, were walking with their dogs around their Weston Hills community. At the same time, Irving Goldstein was having alcoholic drinks at the Weston Hills Country Club and decided to get behind the wheel. His BAC was at 0.24, three times the legal limit. He ran right into the Grumers at an estimated 60 miles per hour. They were both seriously injured and required surgery but were lucky to be alive as well as their dogs.

If Florida would have an all-offender ignition interlock law then this accident would’ve never happened. Goldstein was a repeat offender and with an ignition interlock he would have not been able to drive. These small devices prevent drunk drivers from driving and can prevent many tragedies from happening.