06 Jan Mandatory Ignition Lock Laws Reduce Alcohol-Involved Fatal Crashes

Posted at 17:33h in Accidents & Violence, Author Interviews by

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Emma E. McGinty, PhD, MS Center for Injury Research and Policy and Center for Mental Health and Addiction Policy Research, Department of Health Policy and Management Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore MD 21205

Dr. Emma McGinty,

Emma E. McGinty, PhD, MS
Center for Injury Research and Policy and Center for Mental Health and Addiction Policy Research, Department of Health Policy and Management
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Baltimore MD 21205

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: All states in the US have some kind of ignition interlock lock, but until this study we didn’t know whether these laws meet their intended goal – to reduce alcohol-involved fatal crashes. Specifically, we lacked evidence on the effectiveness of two different types of interlock laws – mandatory interlock laws, which require all individuals convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol to install an interlock, and partial interlock laws, which require some segments of high-risk DUI offenders – like repeat offenders or those convicted of driving with a very high blood alcohol content – to use an interlock in order to drive legally.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: Our study found that mandatory interlock laws reduce alcohol-involved fatal crashes by 7%. In contrast, partial interlock laws that only require repeat offenders and other high-risk offenders to use interlocks do not appear to reduce alcohol-involved fatal crashes, at least not immediately after the laws go into effect. We found some evidence suggesting that these laws may reduce crashes 2-3 years after they are first enacted, though only by about 2-3%.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: It is important to understand how states are implementing and enforcing these laws. When someone is required to use an interlock, is anyone following up to make sure they are doing so? We need more research in this area.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Ignition Interlock Laws: Effects on Fatal Motor Vehicle Crashes, 1982–2013
McGinty, Emma E. et al.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine , Volume 0 , Issue 0 ,
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2016.10.043
Jan 5 2017
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on January 6, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD

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