Issues related to data management and read-out of data

The ability to collect, store, analyse and effectively communicate data across the various agencies involved in carrying out alcohol interlock programmes, is essential to the success of the interlock programme.

The complexity of communication increases with the amount of data collected, and more importantly, the number of institutions or agencies that report to, or receive information from the system.

The flow of data related to the implementation of an alcohol interlock programme could already start with the court or administrative order to have an alcohol interlock device installed following a drink-driving conviction. It ends with completion of the programme, including the re-issuance of the licence and removal of the interlock.

Data to be considered could include data collected by the interlock device; information about participants using the device; information about programme operations and information about programme components (e.g., sanctions or reinforcements that are applied). The information that is collected may not only be relevant to the management of the interlock programme itself, but also for any future evaluation¹⁵.

Users and suppliers of data could include amongst others the Court, road traffic authorities, motor vehicle administration, driver education and driver’s license agencies, alcohol interlock suppliers and service agents, as well as agencies and institutions involved in (medical/addiction) treatment.

The management and reporting of alcohol interlock data varies widely across jurisdictions. Most countries or jurisdictions that have started an alcohol interlock programme in recent years, have developed an automated data management system. Automated data management system

Examples form the US have shown that failure to automate and continued reliance on paper-based reporting systems can lead to offenders slipping through gaps in the system or being overlooked as a result of lack of staff, weak communication channels, and untimely exchange of information between various agencies¹⁶.

14 Ridder, T.D.; Hull, E.L.; Ver Steeg, B.J. and Laaksonena, B.D. (2011) Comparison of spectroscopically measured finger and forearm tissue ethanol concentration to blood and breath ethanol measurements, in Journal of Biomedical Optics 16(2), 028003 (February 2011).

15 Robertson, R.D., Holmes, E.A. and Vanlaar, W.G.M. (2013) Alcohol Interlock Programs: Data Management System Implementation. Traffic Injury Research Foundation, March 2013.

16 Idem.

However, regardless whether systems are automated or not, from international experience it is clear that, amongst many, particularly important issues that need to be considered related to data management include:

• Reporting needs and standardisation.

• Privacy and security.

• Feedback and confirmation.

• Compatibility.

• Reciprocity.

4.5.1 Reporting needs and standardisation

Clear consideration should be given to the kind of data that should be collected. These data currently vary in accordance with the laws or administrative rules of each country or state. The programme authority may require notifications for installations, de-installations, violations, and other relevant data.

The development of standardised violation definitions and violation reports is essential to any successful interlock programme. Standardization is needed to create consistency in offender management and eliminate confusion among stakeholders within a jurisdiction. Definitions should be determined by the state authority in administrative rules and not written in legislation to allow for reasonable flexibility in decision-making.

4.5.2 Privacy and security

Based on the data collected from the interlock device, some far-reaching decisions can be made about the participants, like whether they must forfeit their driver’s license or remain in the

programme. By necessity, the communication between organisations that read out data and state agencies includes personal and/or sensitive information. Therefore the integrity and confidentiality of interlock data must be ensured. All parts of the alcohol interlock protect the event records against unauthorized modification, deletion, insertion and disclosure.

Policies regarding the transmission of data and communication between vendors and agencies should be created to address some of these security concerns. The policies currently adopted vary between countries and states. The Netherlands currently have adopted the most stringent privacy and data protection policy. Alcohol interlock devices are required to meet the CENELEC standards for alcohol interlocks, including EN 50436-6 on data security that applies to the interlock and service application. In addition, the devices and their usage have to satisfy a set of rigorous domestic requirements listed in the so-called protection profile. Data are to be send in a specified format and encryption to the Road Traffic Authority, which manages the database and is

responsible for reporting and data analysis. The protection profile will be certified in accordance with the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA) so that the security properties of alcohol interlocks can be evaluated by licensed laboratories.

4.5.3 Feedback and confirmation

In order to increase the effectiveness of an alcohol interlock programme, there should be a protocol that defines which information is shared, with whom and when. Those receiving (systems) must acknowledge receipt of messages, and a protocol is necessary to handle non-confirmed messages.

This includes offenders, as research indicates that notifying offenders of both non-compliance and compliance holds them accountable for negative behaviour (violations), and reinforces good behaviour (lack of violations).

4.5.4 Compatibility

Alcohol interlock devices are typically programmable and can accommodate a range of different programme requirements (e.g., pre-set level, emergency override, running retests) and can provide different types of output data. This way they can accommodate requirements of various

jurisdictions.

At the same time not all countries have databases that are designed so that the data from at least several types interlock devices or manufacturers can be captured and retained. This diminishes the level playing field between interlock suppliers, which could lead to higher costs.

Also, to facilitate communication across these different components, data management systems must have interface capabilities. Differences in technology across agencies involved in

management of an alcohol interlock programme are likely to occur and must be taken into account and addressed. Not doing so could reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of the interlock programme.

4.5.5 Reciprocity

Currently there is no reciprocity for alcohol interlock programmes between EU Member States that could help to ensure that those offenders that cross jurisdictions are not able to avoid the use of the device. Also in other countries alcohol interlock programmes, like the US, Australia and Canada this reciprocity is very limited as transmission of data between jurisdictions is limited and there is no uniformity in stored data, adopted definitions, systems are incompatible, etc.

5 Potential safety benefits of alcohol interlocks