Working with the Benefit of Hindsight: A Perspective from Western Australia

This paper discusses Western Australia's perspective on alcohol ignition interlock devices. It provides background information, presents guiding principles of the Repeat Drink Driving Working Group, relates challenges to the successful development and implementation of an alcohol ignition interlock program, describes a proposed model for Western Australia and offers a conclusion about the use of alcohol ignition interlock devices in Western Australia. The paper notes that alcohol ignition interlock devices need to be well integrated and coordinated with other drunk driving countermeasures in order to be successful. Ignition interlock programs need to take into account the demographics, and social and economic conditions of multiple recidivist drunk drivers.