Education

Ignition Interlocks Are Affordable For Alcohol Offenders

It is often argued that ignition interlocks are economically burdensome on the convicted drunk driver. This argument is used against mandatory interlock programs.

Research would indicate that interlock costs are quite affordable, especially when compared to the amount drunk drivers spend on alcohol.

The Harris County Probation Department (Houston, Texas) released the results of 2,500 Substance Abuse - Life Circumstance Evaluation (SALCE) tests. SALCE is a computerized alcohol assessment program and voluntary survey on alcohol consumption patterns. The results indicated the following regarding the convicted drunk driver.

On average, convicted drinking driving offenders spend $12.50 per day on alcohol. The average cost of an interlock program is less than $3.00 per day.

An ignition interlock COSTS LESS THAN 25% of what an offender spends on alcohol!

Average Monthly Income	$1,331.00
Average Monthly Expenditure for Alcohol	$375.00
Percent of Income Spent on Alcohol	28.2%
Daily Alcohol Expenditure	$12.50