For years, UDAA has worked to expand interlock alternatives to automatic license suspensions in Utah DUI cases.
When someone is arrested for a first-time DUI, their license is automatically suspended for 120 days. This makes it extremely difficult for these individuals to keep a job, attend treatment, and maintain pro-social relationships - factors which significantly affect a person’s likelihood of re-offense.
Studies show that automatic license suspensions are ineffective in reducing drunk driving rates. Many individuals never receive their notice of license suspension, and out of those that do, approximately 50-75% will continue to drive.
By relying on automatic license suspension, we are not using the most effective tools available to prevent subsequent DUIs.
Recent reports demonstrate the effectiveness of ignition interlock devices (IID) in reducing recidivism and increasing public safety. Allowing first- and second-time DUI offenders to install interlock devices and keep their licenses reduces their ability to drive while intoxicated and promotes pro-social behavior such as maintaining employment, attending treatment, and participating in family and community activities.
Why we should increase IID availability statewide:
Automatic license suspension is not effective
Approximately 50-75% of DUI offenders continue to drive after their drivers license is suspended (MADD, 2017).
A multi-state study of automatic license suspension laws found that they had no effect in reducing or deterring drunk driving (Darnell, 2015).
Unemployment increases the likelihood of re-offense
Unemployed individuals are 2.8 to 4.8 times more likely to drive drunk (Impinen et al., 2011).
Individuals convicted of any criminal offense have a 50.6% recidivism rate when unemployed (Nally et al., 2014).
Ignition Interlock is more effective at reducing drunk driving
This study found that high BAC first-time offenders with interlock devices had a recidivism rate 39% lower than the offenders without interlocks (NHTSA, 2012).
MADD found that interlock devices have stopped at least 3.78 million drunk driving attempts. In their 2022 report analyzing ignition laws nationwide, Utah scored a failing grade (MADD, 2022).