Interlocks - their role in reducing drink driving Dr Andrew Clayton RSN Associates

Interlocks - their role in reducing drink-driving RSN Associates Andrew Clayton RSN Associates

About my presentation A short history of drink drivingA short history of drink driving How interlocks can help reduce the problemHow interlocks can help reduce the problem RSN Associates

1967 Road Safety Act A social revolution Barbara Castle MP RSN Associates A very unfeminine act Wife of rugby footballer The most pernicious piece of anti- democratic legislation ever passed A publican

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What are interlocks? Devices that “stop drunks driving cars”Devices that “stop drunks driving cars” Immobilisers linked to breathalysersImmobilisers linked to breathalysers

RSN Associates The system in practice <=20mg/100ml* Car starts > 20mg/100ml Car doesn’t start Driver then ‘locked out’ for a specific time Driver provides breath sample * Machines can be preset to any value

Examples of interlock use In commercial programmesIn commercial programmes –Compulsory for new school buses in France –Voluntary use in many EU countries incl UK In judicial programmesIn judicial programmes –Widely in N America and Australia –Small, but growing, use in Europe RSN Associates

Key elements for success All programmes Systems to prevent ‘cheating’Systems to prevent ‘cheating’ Flexible settings to suit usageFlexible settings to suit usage Records to monitor behaviourRecords to monitor behaviour RSN Associates Judicial programmes Install asap after offenceInstall asap after offence Counselling / support serviceCounselling / support service

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DfT’s view on Interlocks These schemes are very difficult to manage.These schemes are very difficult to manage. Offenders can get round the lock by changing the car they drive.Offenders can get round the lock by changing the car they drive. We are also not persuaded as to their effectiveness in changing long-term behaviour.We are also not persuaded as to their effectiveness in changing long-term behaviour. RSN Associates

DfT’s view on Interlocks These schemes are very difficult to manage.These schemes are very difficult to manage. RSN Associates DfT’s own Demonstration Project showed that they were relatively easy to manage

DfT’s view on Interlocks These schemes are very difficult to manage.These schemes are very difficult to manage. Offenders can get round the lock by changing the car they drive.Offenders can get round the lock by changing the car they drive. RSN Associates Is that easier or more difficult than driving a car whilst disqualified?

DfT’s view on Interlocks These schemes are very difficult to manage.These schemes are very difficult to manage. Offenders can get round the lock by changing the car they drive.Offenders can get round the lock by changing the car they drive. We are also not persuaded as to their effectiveness in changing long-term behaviour.We are also not persuaded as to their effectiveness in changing long-term behaviour. RSN Associates

Do interlock programs work? When the interlock program is a part of a monitoring and accompanying framework, the recidivism rate stays 2 or 3 times below that of programs based on only “hard control”, even several years after removal.When the interlock program is a part of a monitoring and accompanying framework, the recidivism rate stays 2 or 3 times below that of programs based on only “hard control”, even several years after removal. RSN Associates ICADTS Working Group on AIID Oslo 2010

DfT’s view on Interlocks These schemes are very difficult to manage.These schemes are very difficult to manage. Offenders can get round the lock by changing the car they drive.Offenders can get round the lock by changing the car they drive. We are also not persuaded as to their effectiveness in changing long-term behaviour.We are also not persuaded as to their effectiveness in changing long-term behaviour. RSN Associates

A final thought Should we simply punish all drink/drive offenders?Should we simply punish all drink/drive offenders?OR Should we extend current “support programs” to include interlocks for some/all categories of offenders? Should we extend current “support programs” to include interlocks for some/all categories of offenders? RSN Associates

Thank you Andrew Clayton RSN Associates RSN Associates