Ignition Interlock Devices Stopped 1.7 Million Drunken Tries
“MADD sincerely appreciates this monumental effort to understand how ignition interlocks are being used across the country,” said MADD National President Colleen Sheehey-Church. “This report is an excellent tool to help MADD advocate for technology that we know saves lives.”
The Traffic Injury Research Foundation USA Inc. (TIRF) released an extensive survey of ignition interlock usage across the nation earlier this month. This first of its kind study found that 328,743 ignition interlocks were in use as of August 31, 2015.
Researchers surveyed every state to learn how ignition interlock programs are managed. Twenty-eight states and eight ignition interlock manufacturers participated in the report, which documents drunk driving arrests, convictions, and ignition interlock usage by category, such as first offender and repeat offender.
“The states and manufacturers who spent considerable time providing valuable information on drunk driving and ignition interlock usage are helping us put an end to this violent, completely preventable crime,” Sheehey-Church said. “This report will guide us as we work with states to pass ignition interlock laws that will help us achieve our ultimate goal — No More Victims.”
In February, MADD released its first-ever ignition interlock report showing how many times ignition interlocks have stopped someone from driving drunk. The numbers are startling: Across the nation, ignition interlocks have stopped 1.77 million drunk driving attempts.
Philip K. Dick is way ahead of us in his 1963 novel The Game Players of Titan, as far as ignition interlocks are concerned:
It had been a bad night, and when he tried to drive home he had a terrible argument with his car.
"Mr. Garden, you are in no condition to drive. Please use the auto-auto mech and recline in the rear seat."
Pete Garden sat at the steering tiller and said as distinctly has he could manage, "Look, I can drive... Start, darn it!"
The auto-auto said "You have not inserted the key."
"Okay," he said, feeling humiliated. Maybe the car was right...
(Read more about Dick's alcohol-sensing system)
EVs To Be Made In ICE Detroit-Hamtramck Plant
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