Reducing DWI With Interlocks The New Mexico Experience

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Reducing DWI With InterlocksThe New Mexico
Experience
Richard Roth, PhD Research Consultant and Citizen
Lobbyist Supported by PIRE, RWJ, and NM TSB

• Lifesavers Conference
• March 25-27, 2007

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New York Times Editorial November 25, 2006

• .. The initial (MADD) goal, which is backed by
  associations of State highway officials and car
  manufacturers, is to have all states do what New
  Mexico has already done require that all
  convicted drunken drivers, even first-time
  offenders, have devices installed in their cars
  that measure alcohol in the breath and
  immobilized the car if levels exceed set limits.

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An Ignition Interlock is anElectronic Probation
Officer

• Dedicated Probation Officer in Front Seat
• On duty 24 hours per day
• Tests and Records daily BACs
• Allows only Alcohol-Free Persons to Drive.
• Reports All Violations to the Court
• Costs Offender only 2.30 per day.
  (1 less drink per day)

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New Mexico Interlock Laws

• 1999 Optional for 2nd and 3rd DWI.
• 2002 Mandatory for all Aggravated and Subsequent
  DWI. Indigent Fund
• 2003 Ignition Interlock License Act
  .an alternative to revocation.
• 2005 Mandatory Interlocks for all DWIs
  1yr for 1st 2 for 2nd 3 for 3rd Lifetime
  for 4

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Interlocks are Effective, Cost-Effective and Fair

• Interlocks reduce DWI re-arrests by 40-90
• They reduce the economic impact of drunk driving
  by 3 to 7 for every 1 of cost.
• Interlocks are perceived as a fair sanction by
  85 of over 5000 offenders surveyed.
• ..But they only work if
• you get them installed.

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How does New Mexico compare with other states in
interlock utilization?
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Effectiveness with Court Mandated Offenders
Comparison Groups(RED) Interlocked
Groups(GREEN)
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Effectiveness with Volunteers
ie. Not court-mandated
REDComparison Groups GREENInterlocked
Groups
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Re-Arrest Rates Down 30-44
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Fewer Alcohol Involved Fatal Crashes and
Fatalities
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Survey of Interlocked Offenders
N 796
77
81
63
69
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Interlocks Installed Per Conviction in First 9
months of 2006
Caution this figure includes installations by
persons not convicted, and changes of provider.
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Interlocks Installed per DWI Arrest by County in
NM
Jan-Sept 2006
Caution Includes some changes of Provider.
Room for Improvement
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Proposals to Close NM Loopholes

• Add or electronic monitoring for No car.
• Vehicle Forfeiture for driving while revoked
  without an interlock.
• Vehicle Immobilization or Interlock between
  arrest and adjudication.
• Crime to contribute to circumvention.
• Apply interlock sanction to juvenile offenders.
• Mandate a period of alcohol-free DRIVING before
  getting unrestricted license.

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Legislative Recommendations

• Immobilization or Interlock between DWI arrest
  and adjudication.
• Mandatory Interlock for at least one year for all
  convicted offenders with electronic monitoring or
  urine testing as the only alternatives.
• Compliance Based Removal. Requirement No
  recorded BAC gt .05 by any driver for a year.
• Interlock License as an Alternative to
  Revocation.
• An Indigent Fund with objective standards.
• Mandatory Period of Interlock before Unrestricted
  License Reinstatement.