Federal safety regulators are attempting to convince states to require ignition interlocks for everyone who has ever been convicted of or having their driving privileges suspended for alcohol-impaired driving, including first-time offenders.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's research says that convicted drunk drivers with interlocks are approximately 75 percent less likely to drink and drive again compared to those who don't have interlocks.
The devices are designed to prevent vehicles from starting if the driver has been drinking alcohol.
"(Interlocks) protect sober motorists and ensure that individuals convicted of drunk driving learn from their mistakes," said NHTSA Administrator David Strickland in a statement.
The NHTSA released "Model Guideline for State Ignition Interlock Programs" on Dec. 17 to help states develop a breath-alcohol ignition-interlock program.
The Guideline pleads for legislation, education, and interlock implementation.
The document was released to coincide with the holiday season.
NHTSA said that in the past 10 years, two of every five driving deaths that occur around the Christmas and New Year's holidays were due to drivers operating vehicles while under the influence of alcohol.
Only 20 states and four California counties currently require the devices for all drivers convicted of driving drunk. As of July 2013, there were nearly 305,000 interlocks being used in the U.S., according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
See Now: OnePlus 6: How Different Will It Be From OnePlus 5?
