The report highlights a critical disconnect between available safety technology and state-level enforcement. In 2025 alone, ignition interlocks prevented more than 336,000 trips by drivers with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher. This averages to one prevented drunk driving attempt every 95 seconds. Despite these results, 24 states and Puerto Rico received an 'F' grade for failing to implement universal requirements for offenders.
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MADD Report Finds Half of U.S. States Failing on Ignition Interlock Laws
While in-car breathalyzers have blocked over 5.7 million attempts to drive intoxicated since 2006, a new report from Mothers Against Drunk Driving reveals that half of U.S. states earn failing grades for maintaining legislative loopholes that allow DUI offenders to bypass mandatory safety technology.
Research indicates that ignition interlocks reduce repeat offenses by 67%, with states mandating the devices for all offenders seeing a 26% decrease in drunk driving fatalities. Currently, 34 states and Washington, D.C., require these devices for all convicted drunk drivers. MADD CEO Stacey D. Stewart emphasizes that the technology serves as a vital safeguard, keeping roads safe while allowing individuals to maintain essential travel for work and school. The organization is pushing for stricter policies that eliminate 'wait-out' periods and ensure compliance-based removal of the devices. Eleven states, including Arizona, Colorado, and Tennessee, received an 'A' grade for their comprehensive approach to interlock legislation.
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