Alcohol Interlocks in Austria

Relevant administration

Driving licence administration authorities (an operative coordinating institution (“ABS Institution”) has been created for the purpose of the trial)

Trial and entry into force

  • Pilot project 2012-2013
  • 2017 – 2022 (5 year trial)

Position in the legal system

Administrative

How many AI installed today ?

150 – 200 installations per year

Who?

Offenders that volunteer based on the following criteria :

  • Only category B and BE
  • A suspension of the driving licence for at least four months
  • The expiration of at least half of the suspension period
  • No alcohol addiction

Rehabilitation/medical aspects

The driver has to meet a mentor every two months

  • Examination of data readout for violations
  • Discussion of the participant‘s experience with the device Discussion of the driving behaviour in reference to the data readout and driver‘s logbook and development of strategies for a successful continuation of the programme
  • Support with administrative procedures in relation to the DUI offence
  • No mandatory medical or psychological examination (medical or psychological measures can be required in the revocation proceedings, in this case they have to be fulfilled before entering the alcohol interlock programme)

Costs

  • 2,500 euros/year for the device
  • 600 euros minimum for the mentoring programme
  • 300 euros to install and remove the device

Gender/age

Approximately 80% men

Participation rate

  • No general participation rate can be identified because there are no figures available of how many are eligible.
  • It can be said that once a candidate is in contact with the ABS institution there is a participation rate of nearly 99%

Evaluation

No official evaluation yet (Evaluation planned after the trial period ends in 2022)