Italy moves ahead with introduction of alcohol interlocks for drink-drivers

The Italian government has sent details of its new alcohol interlock programme to the European Commission and plans to introduce the sanction for convicted drink-drivers as early as July this year.

Drivers convicted of drink-driving with a BAC level of 0.8g/l to 1.5g/l will be required to install an alcohol interlock in their vehicle at their own expense for two years.  The time period will be longer in the case where the BAC exceeds 1.5 g/l.  The devices must be regularly calibrated and there will be sanctions for manipulation or circumvention of the device.  Italy is the latest EU Member State to introduce an alcohol interlock programme as an alternative to a driving ban. Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden already use the devices in their justice systems.  The Dutch government is looking at reintroducing a scheme that was cancelled in 2016 for legal reasons.