NHTSA State Ignition Interlock Support and Resources Grant

This NOFO is limited to organizations that demonstrate that they have the infrastructure in place, as well as the necessary staff and support to carry out the responsibilities of administering, coordinating, and implementing the conditions of this NOFO. Only organizations capable of fulfilling the criteria listed within this NOFO will be considered for an award.

To be eligible for the Cooperative Agreement, applicants shall meet the following requirements:

• Have a staff with expert knowledge of ignition interlock devices and understanding of a State Ignition Interlock Programs;
• Have experience providing technical assistance and communications to State Administrators;
• Have the expertise and demonstrated experience in developing and delivering effective training programs, communications and guidance documents for State programs; and
• Expertise in ignition interlock programs, laws, challenges, and limitations in each State and nationwide.

Interesting applicants are advised that no fee or profit will be allowed.

The purpose of the Cooperative Agreement (CA) is to develop, deliver and evaluate an ignition interlock program for administrators that oversee ignition interlock programs. The overall objective is to develop a program that will provide effective training, technical assistance, guidance, best practices and relevant resources to ignition interlock program administrators across the country. The Recipient will develop training curricula, technical guidance documents, webinars, deliver technical assistance to state ignition interlock programs and develop annual training and advanced training for new and experienced state ignition interlock program Administrators and personnel.

A secondary objective is to conduct research that identifies current and future challenges to ignition interlock programs and innovative solutions program administrators may implement to improve ignition interlock programs. NHTSA seeks creative approaches and techniques for the development of ignition interlock programs.  The support will be provided in the following areas: 

• Develop, implement and evaluate training for State Ignition Interlock Program Administrators and personnel;
• Develop best practice guidance documents for State Ignition Interlock Program Administrators to aid in program management and delivery; and
• Develop technical assistance for states implementing ignition interlock best practices.

 PROGRAM AUTHORITY

NHTSA may enter into an assistance agreement with a State or local agency, authority, association, institution, or person to carry out activities authorized 23 U.S.C. § 403.  

 BACKGROUND

Impaired driving is one of the most prevalent and preventable traffic safety and public health problems facing our nation. In 2018, 10,511 lives were lost due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for 29 percent of the overall traffic fatalities for the year.

Over the past two decades, technology has advanced in the detection and monitoring of impaired drivers and is now an important complement to behavioral programs with breath alcohol ignition interlock devices playing a strategic role as a proven countermeasure to reduce recidivism by preventing drivers from operating their vehicle while impaired. All fifty (50) states and the District of Columbia have ignition interlock laws, thirty-two (32) of which have all-offender laws, incorporating ignition interlock devices into monitored, state regulated programs. The number of currently installed ignition interlock devices in the United States has increased from 101,000 in 2006 to more than 337,000 as of August 2016 and continues to grow. NHTSA continues to support states and regions to increase the use of ignition interlocks and provide guidance on state ignition interlock program administration.