New Report: TIRF USA releases Annual Ignition Interlock Installation Survey in the United States

The Traffic Injury Research Foundation USA, Inc. (TIRF USA) in partnership with the Association of Ignition Interlock Program Administrators (AIIPA) and TIRF in Canada conducted a national survey of the number of total installed and active installed ignition interlocks in the United States in 2014, and from January 1, 2015 through August 31, 2015. These data provide a comprehensive picture of interlock installations across the United States and are a useful benchmark for state ignition interlock program administrators and the impaired driving community to measure interlock program participation. This current survey builds on the previous work of Dr. Richard Roth using an augmented data collection strategy.

Data requests were sent to state ignition interlock program managers, highway safety office directors, and department of motor vehicle staff in all 50 states, as well as 11 interlock manufacturers in September 2015. Interlock data requests included impaired driving arrest and conviction data, the total number of installed interlocks within a specified time period, as well as the number of active interlocks that were installed at a specific point in time according to offense category. As of January 18, 2016, a total of 28 states and 8 manufacturers responded to the data request.

The report summarizes a variety of results including impaired driving arrest and conviction data by state, the percentage of convictions per impaired driving arrests, the total number of installed interlocks and total number of active installed devices at a specific point in time in 2014 and 2015, as reported by both state agencies and manufacturers. The report also contains the total number and active number of installed devices according to offense categories, and the percentage of installed interlocks per impaired driving arrests and convictions according to states and manufacturers. The proportion of offenders deemed eligible to install a device, and the proportion of offenders that actually installed the device were also calculated.

These requested data are critical to evaluate state interlock programs. Reporting annual total number of installed interlocks can help interlock program managers gauge program effectiveness and opportunities for improvement and growth. In addition, these data can be used in conjunction with arrest and conviction data to identify the potential eligible offender population within the state.

This initiative was made possible by a charitable contribution from the Coalition of Ignition Interlock Manufacturers (CIIM).

Click here for the project description page and updates.
Click here to learn more about AIIPA.