Current interlock technology

Bad Stats

In order to rally support for their campaign to mandate interlocks for all offenders—and eventually all Americans—activists have developed an arsenal of flawed statistics to convince the public that interlocks will guarantee safer roads.

New Mexico Stats

To win support for interlock bills, proponents frequently cite statistics from New Mexico about repeat offenses and a decline in fatalities after the state required ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers. There are numerous omissions and weak correlations in these statistics.

The claim: “The rate of repeat offenses dropped by over 60 percent after New Mexico required interlocks for all offenders.”

What’s the truth?

The claim: “After requiring interlocks for all offenders in New Mexico, fatalities declined by 20 percent.”

Get all the facts.

What’s happening in New Mexico now? Only 32% of offenders actually install an interlock. Learn more.

Did you know?

Some claim that first-offenders drive drunk on average 87 times before they are caught.

What’s the truth?