With more than 10,000 people a year dying in alcohol-related crashes in the United States (13,384 in 2021, representing a 14% increase over 2020) and approximately 400 more in Canada each year, there is still considerable work to be done to eradicate impaired driving. Ignition interlock devices reduce recidivism and alcohol-related crashes while installed. The desired outcome of preventing alcohol-related crashes while ignition interlocks are installed can be assisted by having an ignition interlock program that follows the recommended best practices in this document.
Every U.S. jurisdiction has an ignition interlock law of some kind. However, there is no “model program” or national strategy that addresses every component of an ignition interlock program. One of the primary
challenges is the lack of compliance enforcement. This is due in part to the absence of a uniform restriction
and reciprocal agreements across jurisdictions and in part to the lack of familiarity by law enforcement
officers about ignition interlock devices and program requirements at the time of a traffic stop. To address
these issues, this document offers a useful model for reciprocal agreements of the ignition interlock
requirement by jurisdictions. The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) also has a law enforcement training video to educate officers on how to interact with ignition interlock equipped vehicles and their drivers at roadside.
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Every U.S. jurisdiction has an ignition interlock law of some kind. However, there is no “model program” or national strategy that addresses every component of an ignition interlock program. One of the primary
challenges is the lack of compliance enforcement. This is due in part to the absence of a uniform restriction
and reciprocal agreements across jurisdictions and in part to the lack of familiarity by law enforcement
officers about ignition interlock devices and program requirements at the time of a traffic stop. To address
these issues, this document offers a useful model for reciprocal agreements of the ignition interlock
requirement by jurisdictions. The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) also has a law enforcement training video to educate officers on how to interact with ignition interlock equipped vehicles and their drivers at roadside.