[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 135 (Monday, July 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38860-38861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-13729]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[NHTSA Docket No. NHTSA-2007-28680]


Meeting on the Use of Alcohol Ignition Interlocks for Reducing 
Impaired Driving Recidivism

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of Ignition Interlock Meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a meeting regarding the use of ignition 
interlocks for convicted impaired driving offenders. The purpose of 
this meeting is to provide an opportunity for

[[Page 38861]]

judges, court personnel, treatment professionals and others to discuss 
issues relating to the use of ignition interlocks by impaired driving 
offenders, including but not limited to: (1) Technological issues; (2) 
legal issues; (3) current barriers to the use of ignition interlocks 
and (4) issues relating to training and education.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for August 22, 2007, from 8:30 a.m. 
until 4:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel at 1000 H 
Street, NW., in Washington, DC 20001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Jeff Michael, Director of the 
Office of Impaired Driving and Occupant Protection, 202-366-4299 
([email protected]), NHTSA, NTI-110, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Alcohol ignition interlock devices have been used for over 20 years 
by criminal justice systems for some individuals convicted of driving 
while impaired by alcohol (DWI). Nearly every State and the District of 
Columbia allow or require alcohol interlocks. Ignition interlocks have 
been shown to reduce DWI recidivism by about 65 percent when installed 
on offenders' vehicles.
    Despite their benefits, a number of practical barriers to 
utilization of ignition interlocks have been identified, and only a 
small proportion of offenders who are eligible for interlocks are now 
using the devices. Law enforcement officials make approximately 1.4 
million impaired driving arrests each year and while the number of 
convictions is somewhat less and the number of repeat offenders yet 
lower, the approximately 100,000 ignition interlocks that are in use at 
any one time are a small fraction of the number that could be in 
service.
    Factors that limit the use of ignition interlocks include:
     Absence of statutory language authorizing (or requiring) 
use of ignition interlocks;
     Lack of knowledge and the latest information about 
ignition interlocks and interlock programs by judges and other court 
personnel;
     Concerns about the reliability and integrity of ignition 
interlocks;
     Concerns about cost, particularly among offenders without 
financial means;
     Concerns about the lack of availability of ignition 
interlocks and service providers in certain parts of the country, 
especially rural areas.
    NHTSA is interested in examining the benefits of expanded ignition 
interlock use as a means to further reduce deaths and injuries from 
impaired driving. In the 1980's and early 1990's, there was a steep 
decline in the number of alcohol related traffic fatalities. However in 
the past decade, there have been only very modest improvements. The 
Agency is working closely with State highway safety offices and other 
traffic safety and professional organizations to implement several 
priority strategies for reducing impaired driving including high 
visibility law enforcement and improvements to prosecution and court 
processes. NHTSA believes that expanded use of ignition interlocks is a 
promising complement to these program strategies.
    NHTSA conducts research and evaluation to support utilization of 
ignition interlocks as part of a comprehensive impaired driving 
program. The Agency is also participating in the Campaign to Eliminate 
Drunk Driving, an initiative launched in November 2006 with support 
from a broad range of national organizations and Federal agencies, 
including Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the International Association 
of Chiefs of Police, the Governors Highway Safety Association, the 
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Alliance of Automobile 
Manufacturers, The Century Council, and others. The Campaign focuses 
attention on several key strategies including ignition interlocks:
    [cir] High visibility enforcement, including use of sobriety 
checkpoints.
    [cir] Increased use of ignition interlocks for impaired driving 
offenders.
    [cir] Establishment of a Blue Ribbon Panel to research and develop 
advanced impairment detection technology.
    [cir] Grassroots support for these efforts.
    This meeting will build on current and past efforts by reviewing 
progress, identifying barriers and discussing strategies for expanding 
utilization of ignition interlocks. The meeting is open to the public 
to the extent that seating capacity allows.

Brian McLaughlin,
Senior Associate Administrator for Traffic Injury Control, National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
 [FR Doc. E7-13729 Filed 7-13-07; 8:45 am]
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