Implementation of a trial of alcohol ignition interlocks in Queensland - Final report

摘要

This study reports a trial of an extension of the "Under the Limit" Drink Driving Rehabilitation program (UTL) to include ignition interlocks which commenced in February 2001. The task of implementation has been extremely complex and required policy advice and decision support from senior staff on issues such as administrative requirements associated with licensing and offence data, policing, implications for the offender's vehicle insurance, civil liberties and equity issues, and advice on sentencing options and offender supervision. It is considered both impractical and unacceptable for offenders in each court to be randomly allocated to the trial and the solution was to randomly allocate courts to the intervention or control groups, rather than offenders. The current trial aimed to establish if it is possible to achieve reduced recidivism, including post interlock reductions, by using associated systematic rehabilitation and probation with the use of the interlocks. This model builds on latest international research findings and the work on barriers to the use of interlocks identified in other states in Australia. The importance of trying to implement the interlock in such a way that a sustained reduction in recidivism can be achieved has been a major focus of the project. The model that was accepted for the Queensland trial has an initial period of full licence disqualification during which time the UTL rehabilitation program is completed, followed by interlock installation with no additional restrictions. Currently, 29 participants have installed an interlock and 147 offenders have participated in the research project and formed part of a comparison group. A preliminary evaluation of the trial indicates that interlocks have the potential to reduce re-offence rates as well as produce a positive impact on other key program outcomes i.e., reduce drinking levels. However, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed if interlocks were to be implemented beyond the trial and to move beyond the current limited take up rates.