NCJ Number
129150
Date Published
1990
Length
41 pages
Annotation
Information gathered on convicted drunk drivers in Hamilton County (Ohio) from July 1987 through February 1989 formed the basis of an analysis of the effectiveness of ignition interlock devices in reducing recidivism among these offenders.
Abstract
Offenders were assigned nonrandomly into groups using the interlock devices and those receiving license suspensions. Offenders were matched on three factors to protect against selection bias using cluster analysis to produce a group of 273 offenders using the interlock devices and 273 offenders in the control group. The results over followup periods ranging from 12 to 30 months showed that the interlock devices significantly reduced the likelihood of a repeat arrest for drunk driving as compared to a license suspension. In fact, the rearrest rate for persons with license suspension was approximately three times as great as that of persons with interlock devices: 9.8 percent versus 3.4 percent. The great majority of interlock users felt that the system was successful in preventing their drinking and driving, although they had frequent minor complaints about problems in starting their cars while sober. Tables, footnotes, and 44 references