An Ignition interlock is a breath-analyzing device which requires the driver of a vehicle to have alcohol-free breath before being able to start or continue operating the vehicle.

Ignition Interlocks reduce DWI recidivism by up to 95% when installed. New Mexico Law installs them on Vehicles because nothing else is as effective at reducing DWI recidivism.

Interlocks are "Trigger Locks" on 2000 pound weapons. A vehicle is a weapon on the hands of an intoxicated driver.

An Interlock is a "Probation Officer" on Duty 24 Hours per Day in the Offender's Vehicle.

Interlocks provide daily behavior-modification training to DWI Offenders.
Interlocks teach Alcohol - Free Driving.

Interlocks are the least costly way to reduce DWI. Offenders pay $2. per day for interlocks, whereas jail costs us "tax payers" $35. to $75. per day.

The driver's BAC is recorded every time anyone attempts to operate an ignition interlock equipped vehicle. All BAC results are sent to courts and treatment providers.

Interlocks Up, Drunk Driving Down Correlation Yes..But Causality is tough to Prove. Dr. Richard Roth , 10/28/08

This page contains eight figures that show what has been achieved since January 1, 2003 when the first mandatory interlock law went into effect in New Mexico.

" Figure 1 shows that Interlocks installations have increased from 191 in 2002 to 6592 in 2007.
" Figure 2 shows that interlocked offenders have a 69% lower re-arrest rate than non-interlocked offenders.
" Figure 3 shows that DWI arrests stayed relatively constant in spite of increased enforcement.
" Figure 4 shows that Alcohol-Involved Crashes are down 31% from 3566 in 2002 to 2471 in 2007.
" Figure 5 shows that Alcohol-Involved Injury Crashes are down 39% from 1774 in 2002 to 1080 in 2007.
" Figure 6 shows that 32% Fewer people were injured in DWI crashes, 2921 in 2002 and 1789 in 2007.
" Figure 7 shows that Alcohol-Involved Fatal Crashes are down 22% from 198 in 2002 to 155 in 2007.
" Figure 8 shows that Alcohol-Involved Fatalities are down 38% from 225 in 2002 to an estimated 140 in 2008.




Other contributors to the decline in drunk driving include: Prevention Programs, Publicity, Increased Enforcement, Drunkbusters Hotline, and Forfeiture Ordinances.
For additional information please contact me at RichardRoth2300@msn.com or 471-4764
Data for figures 3-8 is from the yearly NM Traffic Safety Bureau Publications, "DWI New Mexico"and the original NM Crash files.
Caution: Two competent researchers, Jim Davis and Steven Flint, think that some A-I crashes are missing from the official 2005 Crash Data, but the 2006 and 2007crash data substantiates the decline in measures of DWI.

Interlock Installations Up, Drunk Driving Down But only 35% of arrested offenders are installing interlocks. Closing legislative loopholes would get interlocks into more offender vehicles.

Data from TSB, MVD, DGR and Interlock Providers.

Plots by Dr. Richard Roth.