Assessing the Effects of the Ignition-Interlock Device on Recidivism
Date
2016-05
Authors
Terranova, Victoria A.
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Abstract
In 2012, there were 10,322 traffic fatalities in the U.S. involving at least one driver with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. This was approximately 31% of all traffic fatalities that year (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2013a). The ignition-interlock device is one intervention method to reduce driving while intoxicated. The present study evaluates the ignition-interlock device’s effect on DWI recidivism when used during different post-arrest phases, including pretrial, probation, and combined pretrial and probation combined. Propensity score matching is used to account for the selection bias commonly present in observational studies of DWI offenders. Results indicate the ignition-interlock device has a negative effect on the risk of and time to DWI recidivism during certain post-arrest time periods. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
Description
Keywords
driving while intoxicated, recidivism, ignition-interlock device, propensity score matching
Citation
Terranova, V. A. (2016). Assessing the effects of the ignition-interlock device on recidivism (Unpublished dissertation). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.