Alcohol Interlocks in prevention and the enforcement of drink driving law Safe and Sober Edinburgh July 2017 Richard Allsop University College London

The alcohol interlock ... is long-established in North America and now in use or being trialled in many European countries including the UK e g for: mandatory use by convicted offenders voluntary use in commercial transport mandatory use in professional driving with vulnerable passengers A device fitted to the vehicle whereby no-one can drive without passing a breath-test using a hand-held tube and repeating this within 10 minutes of receiving random prompts to do so while driving. The first use is an additional tool in the punishment and rehabilitation of offenders The last two uses are preventive – the first accepted as a sign of social responsibility by fleet operators, the second as a requirement for, say, school bus drivers.

Alcohol interlocks used with the mix of offenders Requirement to use an alcohol interlock for a time is an additional form of punishment in itself But it also provides flexibility in the use of other punishments – allowing more consideration of the situation of each offender – e g effect of disqualification differs among those offending similarly

Alcohol interlocks used with the mix of offenders Requirement to use an alcohol interlock is more preventive of drink driving than disqualification But used by itself the preventive effect does not persist when the user is free to drive without the interlock So its use can well be accompanied by a rehabilitation course

Alcolock Barometer 2008 Pilot project Legislation under discussion Voluntary basis Pilot project Legislation under discussion Legislation in force Since 2008, ETSC has been monitoring the spread of use of interlocks by means of the Alcolock Barometer – a series of maps in which countries where no use of interlocks has yet been provided for are coloured blue. Other colours indicate different stages in trialling their use.

Alcolock Barometer 2009 Pilot project Legislation under discussion Voluntary basis Pilot project Legislation under discussion Legislation in force .

Alcolock Barometer 2010 Pilot project Legislation under discussion Voluntary basis Pilot project Legislation under discussion Legislation in force .

Alcolock Barometer 2011 Pilot project Legislation under discussion Voluntary basis Pilot project Legislation under discussion Legislation in force .

Alcolock Barometer 2012 Pilot project Legislation under discussion Voluntary basis Pilot project Legislation under discussion Legislation in force .

Alcolock Barometer 2013 Pilot project Legislation under discussion Voluntary basis Pilot project Legislation under discussion Legislation in force .

Alcolock Barometer 2014 Voluntary basis Pilot project Legislation under discussion Legislation in force .

Alcolock Barometer 2015 Pilot project Legislation under discussion Voluntary basis Pilot project Legislation under discussion Legislation in force .

Alcolock Barometer 2016 Pilot project Legislation under discussion Voluntary basis Pilot project Legislation under discussion Legislation in force On hold But in 2016 we see a new colour, because The Netherlands, where interlocks were in use with drink driving offenders, have put this on hold while legal issues are resolved.

Alcolock Barometer 2017 Pilot project Legislation under discussion Voluntary basis Pilot project Legislation under discussion Legislation in force On hold But in 2016 we see a new colour, because The Netherlands, where interlocks were in use with drink driving offenders, have put this on hold while legal issues are resolved.

... so it’s not plain sailing Many possibilities for interlocks are being explored but issues are arising: – motivation of the judiciary – cost of the interlocks and who pays – procedure for and costs of using log data from interlocks to support users and to inform policy – public perception of users These issues are spread over a number of countries, differing among countries

Where to go from here? Progress use of alcohol interlocks and rehabilitation courses with offenders to achieve more tailored penalties and reduce reoffending Encourage use of alcohol interlocks for prevention Harmonise alcohol interlock technology, require fittability and improve convenience of use Thanks to the ETSC office team, especially Francesca Podda for their help in preparing this presentation

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