Abteilung Verhalten und Sicherheit im Verkehr
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The use of alcohol interlocks for DUI offenders is widespread around the world. in North America and Australia alcohol interlocks are core elements in the countermeasure system against DUI recidivism. Based on a European experience exchange hosted by the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) in October 2013, key features of European alcohol interlock programmes are illustrated. In addition, key findings from international alcohol interlock research are presented. They point towards a need for an accompanying rehabilitative measure in order to achieve long-lasting behavioural changes in the offender. Data from the interlock recorder can be used as predictor for recidivism risk, but also as objective data to aid counselling. Finally, an example of an accompanying rehabilitative measure, which was specifically developed for interlock programmes within a BASt project, is given.
The practicability and feasibility of using alcohol ignition interlock devices has been discussed for more than 15 years in Germany. Thereby, judicial issues have been treated conversely. Consensus exists about the fact that the voluntary use of alcohol ignition interlocks is in all areas of possible use recommendable. Great reservation is shown concerning the operation of the devices for DUI (Driving Under Influence) offenders. Main doubts regard the missing legal base for application in such cases and potential circumvention attempts while the need of supportive psychological measures is unquestioned. In 2011, the Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs entered this topic in its newly released traffic safety programme as a matter of future research. Almost in parallel, the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) launched an alcohol ignition interlock project for DUI offenders. The study at hand aimed at developing a comprehensive programme concept for the use of alcohol ignition interlocks as additional measure to psychological rehabilitation for DUI offenders. Expert surveys serve as input for the establishment of a widely accepted innovative concept for nationwide implementation. By means of a pilot trial, the added value of using a combination of structural (alcohol interlock) and individual (psychological measure) intervention for DUI offenders to the existing countermeasure system should be studied. In addition, selection criteria for DUI offenders eligible for future programme participation should be defined. The majority of the experts evaluate the introduction of alcohol ignition interlocks as a good option to enhance traffic safety. The possibility of early psychological rehabilitation is emphasized in the process. Those who do not approve alcohol ignition interlock usage estimate the amount of offenders eligible for such programmes too small. The survey also revealed that legal regulations for issuing an alcohol interlock restricted licence to DUI offenders is missing. Hence, a possible amendment to the German Driving Licencing Regulation was developed within the project. Consultations with the Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs and the Ministry of Justice disclosed the need for a change of the road traffic law before an amendment to the existing regulations may be put into force. At least, the person responsible in the Ministry of Justice developed a proposal for the law section that needs revision. All in all, it became clear within the process of the project that a field trial in Germany is still a distant vision. Nevertheless, all institutions involved are motivated to deal with the matter further on in order to pave the way for a soon start of the pilot trial.
In Germany, courses for the restoration of the fitness to drive after licence revocation are provided for different offender groups (alcohol, drug and demerit point offenders). Providers of these courses are by law required to prove the effectiveness of the applied course programs. For the evaluation of effectiveness, the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt) established specific "Reference Values" in 2002. The objective of the study at hand was to collect valid data in order to renew the old-established Reference Values from 2002. Additionally, data collection aimed at initializing Reference Values for drug offender programs. Over 66,000 drivers were analysed regarding their traffic probation in the three years after licence reinstatement. Offenders were assigned to an offender group (alcohol, drugs and demerit point offenders) based on the reason for prior licence revocation. Different indicators were used as criteria for re-offending: new alcohol or drug records, culpable accident involvement and repeated licence revocation. For each of the offender groups, frequency distributions regarding these indicators were calculated. Frequencies of recidivism are highest for the group of demerit point offenders. Compared to the Reference Values of this group from 2002, frequencies of re-offending increased. Conversely, re-offence frequencies of alcohol offenders are halved compared to the data from 2001. The analysis of the re-offence frequencies of drug offenders reveals an equal amount of re-offenders as in the alcohol offender group. The collected data serve as a good base for renewal of the old-established Reference Values and may be applicable as comparative data for future evaluations The results reveal significant differences between recent data and earlier studies. These may occur due to improvements of the applied programmes, but also due to situational changes, e.g. increased enforcement levels and expansion of the catalogue of offenses which lead to demerit points.
Various kinds of demerit point systems have been developed and implemented in European countries, aimed at tackling repeat offences in road transport by acting as a deterrent and providing sanctioning. The impact of a demerit point system on the number of crashes is often reported to be significant, but temporary. The objective of the EU BestPoint project was to establish a set of recommended practices that would result in a more effective and sustainable contribution of demerit point systems to road safety. A high actual chance of losing the licence and a high perceived chance of losing the licence are basic prerequisites for the effective operation of demerit point systems. For measures applied within the context of a demerit point system, a four-step-approach is recommended: warning letter, driver improvement course, licence withdrawal, rehabilitation course. Further recommendations concern issues like points and offences, e.g. which offences should lead to points, target groups, and the administration of demerit point systems. The final result of the EU BestPoint project is a handbook (van Schagen & Machata, 2012) which provides a concise overview of all recommended practices. The presentation/paper outlines how sustainable safety improvements can be achieved if national demerit point systems are implemented and maintained according to the recommended practices. In addition, potential further steps towards an EU-wide demerit point system (cross-border exchange on points and/or offences) are presented.