Assessing the Effects of the Ignition-Interlock Device on Recidivism

In 2012, there were 10,322 traffic fatalities in the U.S. involving at least one driver with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. This was approximately 31% of all traffic fatalities that year (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2013a). The ignition-interlock device is one intervention method to reduce driving while intoxicated. The present study evaluates the ignition-interlock device’s effect on DWI recidivism when used during different post-arrest phases, including pretrial, probation, and combined pretrial and probation combined. Propensity score matching is used to account for the selection bias commonly present in observational studies of DWI offenders. Results indicate the ignition-interlock device has a negative effect on the risk of and time to DWI recidivism during certain post-arrest time periods. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Criminal Justice

Grantor

Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Terranova, Victoria A.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Stafford, Mark C.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Blair, J. Pete
• Chamlin, Mitchell B.
• Vandiver, Donna M.
• Voas, Robert B.

• driving while intoxicated
• recidivism
• ignition-interlock device
• propensity score matching

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/6842

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/6842