ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to highlight the role of automotive technology and the public policies related to motor vehicle operation on the observed reduction in alcohol-related crashes during the twentieth century and the expected impact of vehicle factors in the twenty-first century. The automobile is a complex vehicle that taxes key human capabilities—especially when impaired by alcohol—such as balance, attention, vision, coordination, hearing, and judgment. Automotive technology is advancing rapidly, and auto companies are competing to make driving easier and safer. Since alcohol impairs skills related to driving, any technological advance that makes operating an automobile easier or safer can be viewed as an alcohol-related safety measure. The strongest studies of interlock effectiveness appear to be those that evaluate alcohol-related crash indicators before compared to after the implementation of an interlock law. There is persuasive evidence that interlocks while on the offender’s car are an effective means of preventing or at least limiting impaired driving by driving–while–impaired offenders.
