The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration held a national meeting in Washington to discuss the role of ignition interlocks in reducing drunk driving fatalities. Safety advocates, researchers, judges, prosecutors, probation officials and treatment professionals spoke about the operation and potential uses of an electronic breath-testing device connected to a vehicle’s ignition system preventing ignition unless the driver passes a breath test. 

After opening remarks, the first panel focused on the status of the technology and implementation of the interlock devices, as well as the potential uses and applications by law enforcement.