Ignition interlocks: stalling drinkers.

• Author: Teigen, Anne
• Position: TRENDS & TRANSITIONS

In 2011, 9,878 people died in alcohol-related car accidents. In each of those cases--31 percent of the total traffic fatalities for the year--the driver had a blood-alcohol level of .08 higher, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Although fatalities in alcohol-impaired driving crashes have decreased in the last few years, the alcohol-impaired driving fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled remained the same from 2010 to 2011.

At least 11 states are considering expanding their ignition interlock laws. This technology is one tool legislators find effective in alleviating the problem. Ignition interlock devices are connected to a vehicle's and analyze alcohol on the breath. They prevent vehicles from starting if alcohol above a set limit is detected on the driver's breath.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia have some type of ignition interlock laws. Fourteen states--Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Oregon Utah, Virginia and Washington require all convicted drunken-driving offenders to install the devices. Other states require only repeat offenders or drivers...