Maryland’s
IgnitionInterlock
Program
FY 2020 Status ReportFebruary 2021

Introduction
Drunk and drug-impaired drivers cause irreparable harm to individuals, families, and communities
across Maryland. Impaired driving crashes have increased by approximately nine percent since 2015and have remained relatively steady over the past two years. While only one in 50 crashes involving
driver impairment resulted in a fatality in 2019, more than one-fourth (26.5%) of all fatal crashes in thestate involved alcohol and/or drugs.
Figure 1. Alcohol- and/or Drug-Involved Crashes in Maryland, 2015-2019
6692

6654

2016

2017

6905

6857

2018

2019

6291

2015

Source: MDOT MVA Maryland Highway Safety Office
To combat this problem, Maryland employs a comprehensive approach that combines strict laws, license
sanctions, a robust ignition interlock program, high-visibility law enforcement and public outreach.
Expanding the reach of Maryland’s Ignition Interlock Program is a key strategy in the state’s fightagainst impaired driving. Research has repeatedly found that drivers who have interlocks installed are
up to 75 percent less likely to have a repeat drunk-driving offense than drunk drivers who do not havean interlock device installed1.
In Fiscal Year (FY) 2020, Maryland’s Ignition Interlock Program prevented more than 3,800 attempts tostart or operate a vehicle where the driver’s blood alcohol concentration2 (BAC) was greater than 0.08
grams of alcohol per deciliter of blood (g/dL) – the legal limit in Maryland.

Impaired Driving Arrests in Maryland
Impaired driving arrests are a critical intervention point in the fight against drunk and drug-impaired
driving. From 2015 to 2019, more than 99,000 impaired driving arrests were made in Maryland. During
this period, the number of arrests decreased from by 18 percent from 2015 to 2019, and the number ofcitations issued declined by 15% during the same period.

1 See Elder, R. W., Voas, R., Beirness, D., Shults, R. A., Sleet, D. A., Nichols, J. L., & Compton, R. (2011). Effectiveness ofignition interlocks for preventing alcohol-impaired driving and alcohol-related crashes: A community guide systematic
review. American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 40(3), 362-376.Elvik, R. (2013). Risk of road accident associated withthe use of drugs: A systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence from epidemiological studies. Accident Analysis andPrevention, 60, 254-267 and Government Accountability Office. (2014, June). Traffic Safety: Alcohol ignition interlocks are
effective while installed; less is known about how to increase installation rates (Report No. GAO-14-559).
2 Blood/Breath Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is the amount of alcohol in a breath or blood sample. BAC is expressed as theweight of ethanol, in grams, in deciliter of blood (g/dL), or 210 liters of breath. All BAC data presented in this report isexpressed in g/dL unless otherwise noted.

1

Table 1: Impaired Driving Arrests and §21-902 Citations, CY 2015 - 2019
2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Arrests

22,753

20,43919,302

18,50818,626

Citations

61,90054,04051,88150,171

52,588Source: University of Maryland Baltimore/STAR-ORC/NSC using District
Court of Maryland data
Typically, at the time of an arrest, but before a chemical test is offered, the suspected impaired driver isadvised on their rights and presented with an Advice of Rights, Form DR-15. The DR-15 describes theadministrative sanctions related to Maryland driving privileges. It also advises drivers about additional
penalties that may be imposed, and the ability to opt into the Ignition Interlock Program. The driver
must indicate on the form whether they agree or refusal to take the test. The police officer and driverboth sign and date the form.
According to Maryland State Police (MSP) summary report data for 2019, nearly 37 percent of drivers
that were offered a chemical breath refused. Of the drivers who agreed to the test, nearly 80 percent had
a BAC levels above the legal limit and 37 percent of these had BAC levels of 0.15 or higher.
Table 2. Chemical Testing for §21-902 (a) and (b) Offenses, 2015-2019
2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Drivers Offered Test

20,08919,326

18,954

18,762

18,983

Drivers Tested

13,44012,661

12,421

12,123

11,979

Drivers Refused Test

6,649

6,665

6,537

6,639

7004

Refusal Rate

33.1%

34.5%

34.5%

35.4%

36.9%

Source: Compiled from Maryland State Police, Alcohol Influence and PBT Use Summary Reports

As shown in Figure 2, between 2015 and 2019, the number of test results between 0.08 and 0.14 BAC
fell by more than 10 percent, and the number test results at or above 0.15 BAC decreased by 14 percent.
During this same period, the number of drivers who refused a chemical test increased slightly, from6,649 in 2015 to 7,004 in 2019.

2

Figure 2. Driver Chemical Test Results 0.08 BAC or Higher, Test Refusals, 2015 – 2019%.08-.14 BAC%.15 BAC OR MORE

7,004

6,639

6,537

6,665

2019
6,649

4,542

2018

4,607

4,937

2017
4,937

5,289

2016

5,031

4,930

5,133

5,267

5,632

2015

REFUSED TEST

Source: Compiled from Maryland State Police, Alcohol Influence and PBT Use Summary Reports

Drivers who consent to a chemical test and whose test results indicate a BAC of 0.08 or higher, or who
refuse a chemical test are issued an administrative Order of Suspension and a copy is sent to Maryland
Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA). The driver will also be
issued criminal citations by law enforcement officers for one or more impaired driving offenses,
depending on the circumstances.
Drivers who consent to a chemical test but whose test results are less than 0.08% BAC are not issued anadministrative Order of Suspension but may be cited for impaired driving offenses, depending on thecircumstances. Drivers with an alcohol restriction or were operating a commercial vehicle with a BAC of
0.04 or higher also face additional sanctions.

Administrative Sanctions under §16-205.1
On average, MDOT MVA receives more than 18,000 Orders of Suspension each year. Each Order ofSuspension indicates whether the driver refused a chemical test, was tested with a BAC of 0.08 to 0.14,
or was tested with a BAC of 0.15 or greater.
Figure 3 summarizes the number of Orders of Suspension received by MDOT MVA between 2015 and2019, by violation type. The number of Orders of Suspensions received by MDOT MVA for BAC
violations (test results of 0.08 or higher) decreased each year from 11,185 in 2015 to 9,528 in 2019,with a total decrease of nearly 15 percent. By contrast, the total number of Orders of Suspension
received for test refusals increased in three of the last four years.
Figure 3. Orders of Suspension Received by MDOT MVA by Violation Type, 2015-2019
10000

8000
6000
4000

8724

8658

8190

8675

9094

5727

5435

5101

5017

4845

5458

5120

5099

4810

4683

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2000
0
All Refusals

Source: MDOT MVA

3

All Low BAC

All High BAC

Administrative Per Se violations classified by chemical test results (or refusal) and whether it is a first
violation or a second or subsequent violation.

First Violations
Among first administrative per se violations, total BAC violations (all test results of 0.08 or higher)
declined from 9,777 in 2015 to 8,333 in 2019, a decrease of 15 percent. First test refusal violations
changed only slightly, from 6,993 in 2015 to 7,179 in 2019, as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4: Orders of Suspension Received by Type, as A First Offense, 2015 – 2019
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
First Refusal
2015

First Low BAC
2016

2017

2018

First High BAC
2019

Source: MDOT MVA

Second or Subsequent Violations
Among administrative per se violations that were second or subsequent offenses, BAC violations
decreased from 1,408 in 2015 to 1,195 in 2019, a decrease of 15 percent. During the same period, thenumber of test refusal violations increased, from 1,731 in 2015 to 1,915 in 2019, an increase of 10
percent, as shown in Figure 5.
Figure 5: Orders of Suspension Received by Type, as a Second or Subsequent
Offense, 2015 – 2019
2500
2000
1500
1000
500

0
2nd+ Refusal
2015

Source: MDOT MVA

4

2nd+ Low BAC
2016

2017

2018

2nd+ High BAC
2019

Administrative Hearings
Once an Order of Suspension has been issued, a driver has 30 days to request an administrative hearing.
If no hearing is requested within this period, the driver’s license is suspended on 46th day after the Orderof Suspension was issued. In 2019, the average time from arrest to OAH hearing was 104 days.

Opting-in to Ignition Interlock for Administrative Violations
Drivers who have been issued an Order of Suspension, if eligible, may choose to participate in the
Ignition Interlock Program (IIP) voluntarily, in lieu of serving a license suspension. The length of theparticipation is determined by the type of offense. The number of drivers electing to participate in the
IIP increased significantly after the Drunk Driving Reduction Act of 2016, also known as Noah’s Law, tookeffect in October 2016. This law significantly increased the length of suspension periods for most Per Se
violations, making participation in IIP a more attractive option.

Citations and Court Dispositions
On average, each impaired driving arrest results in two to three citations being issued to the driver. In
the past five years, nearly 270,000 impaired driving citations have been issued in Maryland.
Table 3 shows final case dispositions from 2015 to 2019* for each type of §21-902 violation by year.
The combined effect of fewer arrests and citations issued, as shown in Table 3, and the decreased
conviction rate for §21-902(a) violations resulted in a decrease in the total number of §21-902(a)convictions from 2,538 in 2015 to 1,305 in 2019.
Table 3: Impaired Driving Citation Dispositions by Offense Type and Year, CY 2015-2019
2015

2016

2017

2018

2019*

§21-902(a) Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
Guilty

2538

2312

2046

1727

1305

PBJ

4451

4414

4153

3913

3076

Other Disposition

5363

4821

4002

3793

6371

§21-902(b) Driving While Impaired by Alcohol
Guilty

2,628

2,390

2262

2202

1640

PBJ

5002

4,612

4424

4423

3652

Other Disposition

625

535

482

605

577

§21-902(c) Driving While Impaired by Drugs or Drugs and Alcohol
Guilty

213

299

256

271

281

PBJ

255

288

298

370

310

Other Disposition

598

675

480

620

768

§21-902(d) Driving While Impaired by Controlled Dangerous Substance
Guilty

111

129

166

140

143

PBJ

69

105

113

151

134

Other Disposition

253

254

221

285

363

5

Source: University of Maryland Baltimore/STAR-ORC/NSC using District Court of Maryland data.
*Dispositions for 2019 are subject to change due to long timelines for hearings and final dispositions
Figure 6 illustrates the proportion of all §21-902 offenses from 2015 through 2019 that result in a Guilty
disposition. During this period, the percentage of §21-902 cases overall resulting in Guilty dispositions
declined from 28% in 2015 to less than 24% in 2019. The percentage of §21-902(a) offenses that
resulted in a Guilty disposition fell from 24.5% in 2015 to 19% in 2019.
Figure 6: Percentage of Criminal Cases Resulting in Guilty Disposition, by
Violation Type 2015 - 2019
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
21-902(a)21-902(b)
2015

2016

21-902(c)
2017

2018

21-902(d)2019

Source: University of Maryland Baltimore/STAR-ORC/NSC using
District Court of Maryland data. *Dispositions for 2019 are subject tochange due to long timelines for hearings and final dispositions

Maryland’s Ignition Interlock Program
Maryland’s Ignition Interlock Program, one of the nation’s first, is managed by MDOT MVA and provides
Maryland drivers with an alternative to license suspension or revocation and allows them to continue
driving while reducing the likelihood they will drive impaired by alcohol. Ignition interlock devices
connect a motor vehicle's ignition system to a breath testing unit that measures a driver's breath alcohol
level. The driver must blow into the device, allowing it to capture a breath sample and calculate thedriver’s BAC. If the device detects a BAC greater than 0.025, it will prevent the vehicle from starting.
After a driver has passed this initial test and the car has been started, random rolling retests are
required to be certain the driver has not consumed alcohol.
Ignition interlock devices installed in participants’ vehicles store the results of breath tests and otherdata which is downloaded by the ignition interlock service provider when the driver brings the vehicle
in for monthly service and calibration. These data are securely transferred to MDOT MVA’s computer
system, which automatically reviews the data and identifies potential violations. These potential
violations are forwarded to Ignition Interlock Program staff for review and appropriate action. This
automated process allows MDOT MVA to efficiently monitor participants and provide ongoing feedback
to program violators.
Ignition interlock devices incorporate safeguards against circumvention of starting and retestingprocedures. Attempts to bypass the device are recorded and marked as violations. To detect if persons

6other than the driver provide the required breath sample, ignition interlock devices used in Maryland
must be equipped with integrated digital cameras. These devices store a digital image each time abreath sample is collected; these images are available for later retrieval to confirm that the participant
provided the required breath sample. Images are reviewed by IIP staff as a part of the normal case audit
process, in a random-sample audit of images received, and in the review of violations sent to casemanagers for assessment.
Currently, there are eight service providers authorized to install and monitor ignition interlock devices
in Maryland.
Alcohol Detection Systems
IntoxalockSens-O-Lock

Draeger Interlock
LifeSafer
Smart Start Interlock

Guardian Interlock
Low Cost Interlock

By regulation, all service providers must install a device for eligible participants within 10 days of arequest and provide a toll-free 24-hour emergency response number for participants. The cost to install
an ignition interlock device typically range from approximately $70 to $150, depending on the provider.
Many providers offer discounts for fees associated with initial installation and account set up. Average
cost for monthly monitoring ranges from approximately $75 to $100; these costs are comparable to fees
charged by providers in other states. Participants can request an administrative program fee waiver
and/or reduced provider fees if they meet certain eligibility requirements.

Ignition Interlock Program Participation
Maryland’s Ignition Interlock Program monitors thousands of participating drivers each year. The total
number of drivers in the program fluctuates daily, as new drivers enter the program and others
complete the program or are removed from the program for noncompliance. The numbers of uniquedrivers with one or more active Ignition Interlock Program referrals are tracked on a quarterly basis as
well as annually.
As shown in Figure 7, the total number of program participants decreased slightly in FY 2020 to 17,854,
from 18,998 in FY 2019. As shown in Figure 8, participation remained even in the first quarter of theyear, before declining in the final quarter, from April to June 2020.
Figure 7. Interlock Program Annual Participation (Unique Participants),
FY2017 - FY2020
20,00015,00014,816

16,28918,37318,99817,854

FY18

FY19

FY20

10,0005,000
FY16

Source: MDOT MVA

7

FY17

Figure 8. Interlock Participants by Fiscal Quarter, FY16 - FY20
14000
12000
10000
8000

FY16Q1FY16Q2FY16Q3FY16Q4FY17Q1FY17Q2FY17Q3FY17Q4FY18Q1FY18Q2FY18Q3FY18Q4FY19Q1FY19Q2FY19Q3FY19Q4FY20Q1FY20Q2FY20Q3
FY20Q46000

Source: MDOT MVA

Program Referral Sources
In addition to opting into the IIP for administrative per se violations, drivers are referred to the IIP for anumber of other reasons – as a result of an impaired driving conviction, as a term of probation
mandated by a Maryland court, or as a requirement of the reinstatement of driving privileges that havebeen revoked. Many drivers are referred to the program from more than one source and it is common
for drivers to have multiple referrals that are active at the same time. For example, a driver can have an
active referral after opting into the program for an administrative per se offense and have a second or
third active referral arising from a conviction arising from the same incident, or for points assigned totheir driving record as a result of the conviction.

Administrative Per Se Program Referrals
Sanctions for per se violations take effect on the 46th day after the date of violation, unless the customer
requests a hearing or opts into the Ignition Interlock Program. By contrast, on average, convictions for
impaired driving citations occur 190 days after arrest. Customers that opt in for a per se violation
typically enter the program significantly sooner than if they enter only after a conviction.
In FY 2020, 7,323 drivers participated in the Ignition Interlock Program for the first time, up from 6,893
in FY 2019, a decrease of 3.6 percent.
Figure 9 shows the levels of first-time participation, comparing administrative per se referrals toreferrals from all other sources (e.g. court referral or as a requirement of license reinstatement) from FY
2015 to FY 2020. The number of first-time Ignition Interlock Program customers entered with a Per Se
referral significantly increased following the implementation of Noah’s Law in Q2 of FY 2017. State
Operational closures due to the COVID-19 State of Emergency significantly impacted first timeenrollments in the last quarter of FY 2020.

8

Figure 9: First Referral Source of New Participants by Fiscal Quarter, FY 2016 – FY 2020
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
0

Per Se Referral

All Other Referral Sources

Source: MDOT MVA

Post-Conviction Program Referrals
In addition to the increase in administrative per se sanctions, Noah’s Law expanded the mandates for
program participation by drivers convicted of: Driving Under the Influence (DUI); Driving While
Intoxicated (DWI) while transporting a minor under the age of 16; DWI with an initial breathalyzer
refusal; or homicide or life-threatening injury by motor vehicle while DUI or DWI. The decline in
numbers of impaired driving arrests, citations issued, and the percentage of drivers found guilty of those
offenses has resulted in fewer drivers being subject to these mandates.

Length of Participation
Figure 10 shows the length of time participants who completed the program were enrolled in the IIP.
More than half of the participants spent one year or less in the program. The majority of IIP referrals
completed in FY were between 7 and 12 months. Repeat offenders can be referred to the IIP for termsof up to three years.
Figure 10: Length of Completed Ignition Interlock
Assignments, FY 2020
>24 mos
1%

13-24
mos
4%

7-12 mos
58%

Source: MDOT MVA

9

6 mos orless37%Participation Requirements
Once enrolled in the IIP, drivers are required to report to their service provider every 30 days to havethe ignition interlock device calibrated and so the data captured from the device can be downloaded.
Failure to report for required calibration and service can result in removal from the program andsuspension of the driver’s license.
Violations of the Ignition Interlock Program rules and requirements include, but are not limited to thefollowing:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Failure to have the ignition interlock device installed and obtain a Maryland driver’s license
restricted to the operation of vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device;
Failure to appear for the required monthly monitoring visit;
Operating a motor vehicle not equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device approved
for use in the program;
Failure to abide by the terms and conditions of the service agreement with the ignition interlock
service provider, including payment of all costs and fees associated with the program;
Tampering with, bypassing, or otherwise removing or rendering inoperable the ignitioninterlock device, or allowing someone else to do the same;
Attempting to start or operate the vehicle with BAC greater than 0.025;
Failure to submit to retests after starting the car; andAny license suspension or revocation imposed while participating in the program.

Consequences of Program Violations
In FY 2020 2,450 drivers were removed from the IIP for noncompliance and did not reenter the
program., down from 2,078 in FY 2019. If a driver is removed from the program, they may re-enter the
program for the duration initially assigned after a minimum suspension period of 30 days. Since 2011,
approximately 3,400 drivers have re-entered the program after having been removed fornoncompliance.
The IIP continues to stop customers from driving after consuming alcohol. In FY 2020, more than 3,800
drunk driving trips were prevented when an ignition interlock device stopped a driver from starting
their vehicle when their breath alcohol concentration was above the legal limit. Also, in FY 2020, morethan 6,300 drivers had ignition interlock violations where the breath sample was collected, and thevalue was greater than 0.025 BAC.

Completing the Program
Under Noah’s Law, a participant is considered to have successfully completed the program when MDOTMVA receives certification from the service provider that there were no violations in the final threemonths of their assignment. To successfully complete the program, participants may not have any of thefollowing violations in the three months prior to completion:• An attempt to start the vehicle with a BAC of 0.04 g/dL or more unless a subsequent test is
performed within 10 minutes that registers a BAC lower than 0.04 g/dL;• Failure to take or pass a random test with a BAC of 0.025 g/dL or lower unless a subsequent
retest performed within 10 minutes registers a BAC lower than 0.025 g/dL; or

10•Failure to appear at the approved service provider when required for maintenance, repair,calibration monitoring, inspection or replacement of the device causing the device to cease tofunction.

Any violations meeting these criteria in the last three months of an assignment extends the participationend date to three months from the date of the violation.
Once the driver has successfully completed the required participation period, including any extensions,the driver must bring their vehicle to their ignition interlock service center for a final data download. If
no violations are noted, MDOT MVA mails a letter of successful completion to the driver. The driver cantake this completion letter to any MDOT MVA branch office to receiving a new, unrestricted license; thedriver can then have the ignition interlock device removed from their vehicle.
In FY 2020, 6,815 drivers successfully completed their assignments to the program with no new
assignments in the fiscal year, up from 6,521 in FY 2019, an increase of approximately five percent.

Credit for Successful Completion
Under the provisions of Noah’s Law, a driver can receive credit for successful participation in the IIP for
an administrative per se offense. If the driver is subsequently convicted of an impaired driving offense
related to the same incident and is required to participate in the IIP, the driver receives credit for their
participation for the administrative per se offense, if they successfully completed their referral. This
offers additional incentive for drivers to voluntarily participate in lieu of serving an administrative per
se suspension. To date, more than 8,500 Interlock customers have received credit for successful per separticipation.

Participant Demographics
More than half of the individuals who participated in the Ignition Interlock Program in FY 2020 were
between the ages of 21 and 40. In addition, more than three-quarters of program participants were age
50 years or younger, as shown in Figure 11. Among all age categories, nearly 80 percent of participants
were male.
Figure 11: Age of Interlock Participants, FY 2020
61 andUnder 21
Older
<1.0%
4%
51-60
21-30
11%
27%
41-50
19%
31-40
39%

Source: MDOT MVA

11

Figure 12 shows the jurisdiction of residence of Ignition Interlock Program participants. More than 50
percent of the participants in the program in FY 2020 resided in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Montgomery,and Prince George’s counties.
Figure 12: Jurisdiction of Residence for Ignition Interlock Program Participants, FY 2020
20.0%
18.0%
16.0%
14.0%
12.0%
10.0%
8.0%
6.0%
4.0%

2.0%
0.0%

Source: MDOT MVA

Conclusion
Each year in Maryland, more than 160 people are killed in alcohol- and/or drug-involved traffic crashes
on average. Maryland’s Ignition Interlock Program remains an important part of the state’s
comprehensive approach to reducing impaired driving crashes and the devastating impact these crashes
have on our families and communities. Each year, the IIP prevents thousands of attempts to drive while
impaired by alcohol, while allowing responsible participants to continue to drive.
The impacts of the COVID-19 State of Emergency had impacts on program participation in the final
quarter of FY 2020. Some of these impacts continue into FY 2021; however, ignition interlock devices
continue to protect travelers on Maryland’s streets and highways.
To learn more about Maryland’s highway safety programs, see https://zerodeathsmd.gov/

12