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Reducing DWI With InterlocksThe New Mexico Experience
Lifesavers Conference
March 25-27, 2007
Richard Roth, PhD
Research Consultant and Citizen Lobbyist
Supported by PIRE, RWJ, and NM TSB
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2007 Lifesavers Conference
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New York Times EditorialNovember 25, 2006
.. “The initial (MADD) goal, which is backedby associations of State highway officialsand car manufacturers, is to have all statesdo what New Mexico has already done:require that all convicted drunken drivers,even first-time offenders, have devicesinstalled in their cars that measure alcoholin the breath and immobilized the car iflevels exceed set limits.”
Roth 3/25/07
2007 Lifesavers Conference
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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 BAC’s
•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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2007 Lifesavers Conference
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New Mexico Interlock Laws
•1999 Optional for 2nd and 3rd DWI.
•2002 Mandatory for all Aggravated andSubsequent 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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2007 Lifesavers Conference
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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 drunkdriving by $3 to $7 for every $1 of cost.
•Interlocks are perceived as a fair sanctionby 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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Comparison Groups(RED) Interlocked Groups(GREEN)
Effectiveness with Court Mandated Offenders
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RED=Comparison Groups GREEN=Interlocked Groups
Effectiveness with Volunteers
ie. Not court-mandated
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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
77%
81%
69%
63%
N = 796
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Interlocks Installed Per Conviction in First 9 months of 2006
Caution:this figureincludesinstallationsby personsnotconvicted,andchanges ofprovider.
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2007 Lifesavers Conference
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Interlocks Installed per DWI Arrest by County in NM
Jan-Sept2006
Caution:IncludessomechangesofProvider.
Room forImprovement
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2007 Lifesavers Conference
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Proposals to Close NM Loopholes
1.Add “or electronic monitoring” for No car.
2.Vehicle Forfeiture for driving while revokedwithout an interlock.
3.Vehicle Immobilization or Interlock betweenarrest and adjudication.
4.Crime to contribute to circumvention.
5.Apply interlock sanction to juvenileoffenders.
6.Mandate a period of alcohol-free DRIVINGbefore getting unrestricted license.
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2007 Lifesavers Conference
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Legislative Recommendations
1.Immobilization or Interlock between DWIarrest and adjudication.
2.Mandatory Interlock for at least one yearfor all convicted offenders with electronicmonitoring or urine testing as the only alternatives.
3.Compliance Based Removal. Requirement:No recorded BAC > .05 by any driver for a year.
4.Interlock License as an Alternative to Revocation.
5.An Indigent Fund with objective standards.
6.Mandatory Period of Interlock beforeUnrestricted License Reinstatement.