https://www.americancityandcounty.com/wp-content/themes/acc_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcast
  • Resources & Events
    • Back
    • Resources
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • Municipal Cost Index – Archive
    • Equipment Watch Page
    • American City & County Awards
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
American City and County
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Co-op Solutions
  • Hybrid Work
  • Commentaries
  • News
  • In-Depth
  • Multimedia
    • Back
    • Podcasts
  • Resources/Events
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers/eBooks
    • IWCE 2022
    • How to Contribute
    • American City & County Awards
    • Municipal Cost Index
    • Equipment Watch Page
  • About Us
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Cookie Policy
    • Privacy Stament
    • Terms of Service
  • newsletter
  • Administration
  • Economy & Finance
  • Procurement
  • Public Safety
  • Public Works & Utilities
  • Smart Cities & Technology
  • Magazine
acc.com

issue_20030101


North Carolina Ignition Interlock Program For Drunk Drivers Marks 12Th Year

North Carolina Ignition Interlock Program For Drunk Drivers Marks 12Th Year

Nearly 12,000 North Carolina motorists convicted of impaired driving offenses have participated in the state's ignition interlock program since the first
  • Written by American City & County Administrator
  • 14th March 2003

Nearly 12,000 North Carolina motorists convicted of impaired driving offenses have participated in the state’s ignition interlock program since the first devices were installed in vehicles 12 years ago last month.

Ignition interlock devices record the driver’s breath alcohol content (BAC) on every attempt to start the vehicle. Since July 2000, they are mandatory upon license reinstatement or approval of limited driving privileges for drivers convicted of driving while impaired (DWI) offenses of .16 BAC or greater, which is at least twice the legal limit of .08 for adult drivers.

Drivers convicted of a first DWI offense have a reduced BAC restriction of .04. Drivers convicted of a second DWI offense within a seven-year period have a reduced BAC restriction of .00. (Which demonstrates the zero tolerance policy). Devices are calibrated according to the driver’s restriction.

In 2002, recorded events from 3,511 interlock devices revealed about 7,200 attempts to start vehicles while the driver had a BAC of .04 or greater.

Of those attempts, more than 1,250 were made by interlock users with BACs between .08 and .16. There were 173 attempts by drivers with BACs of 0.16 or higher.

Data from each interlock device is reported to the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which can review and even revoke the status of a conditionally restored license.

“We are proud of the job the interlock has done in actually preventing DWI driving offenses by interlock users, which translates into lives saved on our highways,” said Mike Bryant, DMV director of adjudication.

North Carolina’s interlock program clearly plays a role in the state’s reduction of alcohol-related crash fatalities. In December, NHTSA ranked North Carolina No. 9 for achieving a nearly 70 percent decrease in the rate of alcohol-related fatalities between 1982 and 2001. Nationwide, about 41 percent of all fatal traffic crashes are alcohol related. According to NHTSA, the rate for North Carolina is 35 percent.

Interlock devices are installed and maintained at the driver’s expense. The fee for installation and first two months’ service is $170 plus tax, with a fee of $60 plus tax for each additional month of service.

The program began in December 1989 in response to growing concerns about repeat DWI offenders driving during their revocation periods. “At least with the interlock option, the offender could legally qualify for a conditional privilege, obtain insurance, and be forced to prove sobriety while driving,” Bryant said.

The DMV first offered the interlock as an option in the conditional restoration hearing process in December 1989. The first devices were installed on the vehicles of repeat offenders in February 1990. The first year of the program was restricted to 100 participants. Currently, it has 3,511 participants.

Tags: ar issue_20030101 mag

Most Recent


  • What’s my truck worth?
    Truck Value VIN Decoding & Make/Year/Model Lookup
  • North Carolina Ignition Interlock Program For Drunk Drivers Marks 12Th Year
    Calendar of events
    A list of NIGP courses, conferences and webinars for NIGP members held in December 2012 and January 2013.
  • North Carolina Ignition Interlock Program For Drunk Drivers Marks 12Th Year
    UPPCC new certifications
    The Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council announces that 208 individuals successfully completed the spring 2012 UPPCC certification examinations administered in May 2012.
  • North Carolina Ignition Interlock Program For Drunk Drivers Marks 12Th Year
    Performance data on the latest certification exams
    The UPPCC has released key performance data from the May 2012 examinations.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your American City and County account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • North Carolina Ignition Interlock Program For Drunk Drivers Marks 12Th Year
    Nano Tech Promises To Become A Powerful Crime Fighter
  • North Carolina Ignition Interlock Program For Drunk Drivers Marks 12Th Year
    Xxxnews Of The Weirdxxx
  • North Carolina Ignition Interlock Program For Drunk Drivers Marks 12Th Year
    40 Superfund Sites Cleaned Up Last Year
  • North Carolina Ignition Interlock Program For Drunk Drivers Marks 12Th Year
    xxxNews Of The Weirdxxx

White papers


The PIO’s Ultimate Guide to Social Media

16th May 2022

Gain Greater Visibility Into Your Public Works Fleet

16th May 2022

Arizona Arts Center Meets Rapid Deadline with Hundreds of Thousands in Savings

26th April 2022
view all

Events


PODCAST


Young Leaders Episode 4 – Cyril Jefferson – City Councilman, High Point, North Carolina

13th October 2020

Young Leaders Episode 3 – Shannon Hardin – City Council President, Columbus, Ohio

27th July 2020

Young Leaders Episode 2 – Christian Williams – Development Services Planner, Goodyear, Ariz.

1st July 2020
view all

Twitter


AmerCityCounty

Amid shifting workplace expectations, local government employers must adapt dlvr.it/SQm2RT

20th May 2022
AmerCityCounty

Smart911 emergency profiles provide first responders with more information, faster dlvr.it/SQh9gl

19th May 2022
AmerCityCounty

Minor league baseball is helping cities hit a revitalization home run dlvr.it/SQc5N4

18th May 2022
AmerCityCounty

Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council can help governments get up to speed on sustainable buys dlvr.it/SQbwqL

18th May 2022
AmerCityCounty

The MSP downstream cyberthreat paradox: Understanding the city and county connection dlvr.it/SQYVjs

17th May 2022
AmerCityCounty

Philanthropic group to launch assistance portal for local admins navigating federal bureaucracy dlvr.it/SQY16G

17th May 2022
AmerCityCounty

Report: Nearly 95 percent of America’s mayors face harassment, threats and violence dlvr.it/SQTn2z

16th May 2022
AmerCityCounty

The PIO’s Ultimate Guide to Social Media dlvr.it/SQTdCK

16th May 2022

Newsletters

Sign up for American City & County’s newsletters to receive regular news and information updates about local governments.

Resale Insights Dashboard

The Resale Insights Dashboard provides model-level data for the entire used equipment market to help you save time and money.

Municipal Cost Index

Updated monthly since 1978, our exclusive Municipal Cost Index shows the effects of inflation on the cost of providing municipal services

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our digital audience? Learn more here.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IWCE’s Urgent Communications
  • IWCE Expo

WORKING WITH US

  • About Us
  • Contact Us

FOLLOW American City and County ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2022 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X