MENU
SEARCHA new report finds that over 14 years ignition interlocks stopped 3.78 million attempts to drive drunk with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or greater.
Ignition interlocks keep drunk drivers off the road. These small “in-car breathalyzer” devices are connected to a vehicle’s ignition that block the engine from starting if a pre-set level of alcohol is detected on the driver’s breath.
Photo via pexels.com/rebcenter moscow
A new report grades each state on the effectiveness of its ignition interlock laws with Arizona and New Mexico both scoring the highest grades, specifically an A- for each. Other states that ranked among the top scorers include Arkansas (B+) and Connecticut (B).
However, all the other states scored C or below — with the average state grade being an alarming F.
The report was released by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and explores data on the number of times ignition interlocks have stopped drivers from starting their vehicles while drunk.
For example, from 2006 to 2020, interlocks stopped 3.78 million attempts to drive drunk with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or greater. Moreover, some 390,456 of those drunk driving attempts occurred in 2020 — which translates to an average of 1,069 drink driving attempts a day.
Ignition interlocks are valuable yet underused tools that can greatly reduce drunk driving, notes the report. However, most states are not maximizing the effectiveness of this tool.
Some 10,142 people lost their lives in drunk driving crashes in 2019 alone. Currently, only 34 states and Washington, D.C., require ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders. The report calls upon legislators to close loopholes in drunk driving laws and ensure that all offenders utilize an ignition interlock during a license suspension period.
Fleet drivers face constant visual, cognitive, and environmental interruptions the moment they hit the road. From roadside chaos to mental fatigue and digital overload, today’s biggest driving risks often come from outside the vehicle itself.
Read More →
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
Read More →
As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.
Read More →
Drivers, supervisors, and data often speak different safety “languages.” Getting on the same page will drive better results.
Read More →
From identity management to third-party certifications, the right technology partner should make security easier to manage. Here are the three building blocks that fleet managers need to stay in control as connected systems scale.
Read More →
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →
