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Abstract: 

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) and Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI) were factors in 259 accidents and 198 personal injury and fatal crashes for Albany County in 2000. Of the total number of driving fatalities, alcohol was a factor in 18.5%. (NYSDMV County MV- 144A.) Also for 2000, 1,843 impaired driving arrests were recorded in Albany County alone. (NYSDMV Driver’s License File.) Statistics show that driving while under the influence is a real problem for Albany County motorists. In more recent years, emphasis has been put on the role of treatment and re-integration of the offenders back into the community through probation. Specifically, such approaches as treatment for the offender’s addiction(s), educational classes, and intense supervision, are more widely in use. Currently, combinations of treatment and intense supervision are seen in the Ignition Interlock program, which has found its way into programs throughout the country. This article looks at Ignition Interlock devices, the program’s role in Albany, and the program’s overall efficacy.

Keywords: Driving While Intoxicated (DWI); Driving While Ability Impaired (DWAI); National Interlock; BAC; Albany County Probation Department (ACPD);

Affiliations:  1: State University of New York at Albany.