(December 13, 2012) WASHINGTON —- In its study on wrong-way driving crashes adopted on Dec. 11, the National Transportation Safety Board cited alcohol-impaired driving as the leading cause of these collisions and recommended that all first-offender alcohol-impaired drivers be required to have ignition interlocks installed on their personal vehicles.

"The first step to address the number one killer on our roadways is to do what is proven to be effective — use interlocks for all DWI offenders," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman.

An alcohol-ignition interlock is a device that prevents the engine from starting until a breath sample has been provided, analyzed for alcohol content and determined to be lower than prescribed limits. Currently, only 17 states require interlocks for first-time offenders.

The NTSB also strongly endorsed the continued development of a passive alcohol-detection technology. The Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety (DADSS) would prevent alcohol-impaired individuals from operating their vehicles by detecting alcohol in the driver's system through breath- and touch-based sensors.

"Technology is the game changer in reducing alcohol-related crashes on our nation's roadways," Hersman said. "Achieving zero alcohol-impaired driving-related deaths is possible only if society is willing to separate the impaired driver from the driving task."