Best practice in alcohol ignition interlock schemes

Australia’s National Road Safety Strategy 2011-2020 proposes greater use of alcohol ignition interlocks. To inform a potential expansion of interlock use, an international literature review examined the influence of mandatory versus voluntary alcohol ignition interlock schemes (AIS) in offenders’ subsequent driving and broader rehabilitation, and interlocks as preventative measures in occupational driving contexts. Additionally, the review documented AIS operational effectiveness in relation to first offenders versus repeat offenders, timing of program admittance and exit, program monitoring, participant support programs and problems experienced in AIS implementation. Evaluations of road safety effectiveness for AIS in Canada, USA, Sweden and Australia were also studied. The literature review yielded a substantial list of considered best practice components of effective AIS, ranging from the various broad contexts where interlock use can be usefully encouraged or mandated, down to specific operational considerations. Identifying best practice components affords assistance to any efforts to progress the National Strategy’s vision for the future deployment of interlocks.