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Abstract
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OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare driving under the Influence (DUI) offenders on an alcohol ignition interlock program who had or had not changed their primary drinking context from a bar/restaurant where they might be required to drive after drinking before the interlock was installed, to drinking at home where driving would not be likely to be required following interlock installation.
METHODS: A total of 171 DUI offenders who were on an ignition interlock program completed a web-based survey. All of these offenders reported that they drank primarily in a bar/restaurant before the interlock was installed. These offenders were classified into two groups; adapters who said they currently drink at home and non-adapters who said they still drink in a bar/restaurant. Measures were made of their reported drinking, driving patterns, their perceptions of the likely outcomes of being on the interlock, their perceived effectiveness of various prevention strategies and their demographic characteristics. Chi-square and t-test analyses were used to compare these two groups.
RESULTS: Adapters and non-adapters did not differ with regard to any of the demographic characteristics, whether they were a first time DUI offender, the length of time in the interlock program or the number of lockouts (being blocked from starting their cars) they had experienced, their miles driven per week, or their current driving patterns since being on the interlock program. Adapters were more likely to report changing their drinking plans and habits. Currently they reported less drinks per occasion than non-adapters. They were more likely to report reducing the amount they drink, and solo drinking or only drinking with a spouse/significant other and changing their drinking plans and habits. They were also more likely to say the interlock reminded them to limit their drinking after it is removed and that it might have longer term benefits in preventing future DUIs. They were also more receptive to interventions that might help them separate their drinking from their driving.
CONCLUSIONS: Interlock clients who report that they have altered their drinking context and a willingness to receive programs that help them separate their drinking from their driving may be more receptive to and benefit from ignition interlock programs.
Language: en |