Intervention Glossary
Motor Vehicle Prioritizing Interventions and Cost Calculator for States (MV PICCS)
| Name of Intervention (Short Name) |
Description |
| Alcohol Ignition Interlocks (Alcohol Interlocks)
|
Alcohol ignition interlocks are devices installed in vehicles that measure alcohol on the driver’s breath. They are also called ignition interlocks or alcohol interlocks. An alcohol interlock keeps a vehicle from starting if the driver has a blood alcohol concentration above a certain level, usually 0.02%. They are used for driving while impaired (DWI) offenders and can be used to monitor drinking and driving behavior while the offender is on probation. One of the interventions in MV PICCS is for alcohol interlocks to be installed on the vehicles of all DWI offenders, including first-time offenders. |
| Bicycle Helmet Laws for Children
(Bicycle Helmet) |
Bicycle helmet laws mandate that children use helmets while they are riding bicycles to reduce the likelihood of head trauma, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), and related consequences. One of the interventions in MV PICCS is for states to have bicycle helmet laws that require all children under 16 years of age to wear helmets when they are riding bicycles. |
| Increased Seat Belt Fines (Increased Seat Belt Fine) | When a driver or passenger is ticketed for not wearing a seat belt, he or she is required to pay a fine for that violation. The fine amount depends on the seat belt law in the state, and state seat belt fines vary considerably. One of the interventions in MV PICCS is to increase seat belt fines by $75 if a state has an existing fine less than $70. This is a significant increase over existing seat belt fines in most states. |
| In-Person License Renewal for Drivers Aged 70+
(In-Person Renewal; In-Person License Renewal) |
One of the interventions in MV PICCS is to require that all drivers over age 70 renew their driver’s licenses in person at a department of motor vehicles instead of using mail-in or online renewal. Requiring older adult drivers to appear in person for license renewal helps examiners identify impairments that might interfere with safe driving, an opportunity particularly helpful for older adult drivers whose driving abilities might change between renewals. |
| License Plate Impoundment | One of the interventions in MV PICCS is to require drivers to surrender their license plate if they are convicted of driving while impaired (DWI); this is referred to as license plate impoundment. Vehicle license plates are either seized or destroyed. This intervention deters convicted DWI offenders from driving their vehicle since it is relatively easy for police to observe whether a vehicle has a license plate. |
| Limits on Diversion Programs and Plea Agreements
(Limits on Diversion; Limits on Diversion and Plea Agreements) |
Many states have policies that allow diversion programs or plea agreements for driving while impaired (DWI) offenders. Diversion programs allow DWI offenders to be diverted out of court procedures while they complete education or treatment, after which charges are dropped or the conviction is removed from the offender’s record in some states. Plea agreements allow DWI offenders to plead guilty to a lesser offense, and in some states the consequence is lighter and the DWI offense is removed from the record. One of the interventions in MV PICCS is to place limits on diversion programs and plea agreements for DWI offenders, such as making sure alcohol-related traffic offenses remain on an offender’s permanent record. |
| Universal Motorcycle Helmet Laws
(Motorcycle Helmet) |
Universal motorcycle helmet laws require all motorcyclists to wear a helmet, regardless of the rider’s age or experience. Ideally, the helmet should meet federal safety standards set by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Universal helmet laws are different from partial helmet laws, which typically apply only to riders below a certain age. |
| Primary Enforcement of Seat Belt Laws
(Primary Enforcement Seat Belt Law)
|
All states have seat belt laws, except New Hampshire. Laws requiring seat belt use are either “primary” or “secondary” enforcement laws. Primary enforcement laws allow police officers to pull over drivers and issue tickets just because the drivers or their passengers aren’t wearing seat belts. Secondary enforcement laws only allow police officers to issue tickets for seat belt violations if drivers have been pulled over for some other offense. |
| Automated Red Light Camera Enforcement
(Red Light Camera; Automated Red Light Cameras) |
A red light camera is a form of automated enforcement of traffic safety laws. Red light cameras photograph a vehicle’s license plate if the driver fails to stop at a red light, and the vehicle owner or driver is sent a ticket. Red light cameras should be used to aid traditional enforcement efforts or in locations where traffic stops are impractical or unsafe. |
| Saturation Patrols | A saturation patrol is an increased number of police officers patrolling a specific area to look for impaired driving behavior, especially at times and in locations where impaired driving is more common. Saturation patrols are also called blanket patrols or dedicated DWI patrols. When implemented fully, saturation patrols are well publicized and regularly conducted. Just like sobriety checkpoints, the goal of saturation patrols is to increase the perceived likelihood that impaired driving will be identified and penalized, leading to a reduction in impaired driving. |
| High-Visibility Enforcement for Seat Belt and Child Restraint Laws
(Seat Belt Enforcement Campaign) |
High-visibility enforcement (HVE) is a technique that combines intense enforcement, in this case of seat belt and child restraint laws, over a fixed period of time with a publicity campaign. Click It or Ticket is an example of HVE. |
| Sobriety Checkpoints | Sobriety checkpoints allow police officers to briefly stop vehicles at specific, highly visible locations to check drivers for impairment. Police officers can stop all or a certain portion of drivers. Breath tests can be given if police officers have reason to suspect that a driver is impaired. When implemented fully, sobriety checkpoints are well publicized, highly visible, and regularly conducted. Just like saturation patrols, the goal of sobriety checkpoints is to increase the perceived likelihood that impaired driving will be identified and penalized, leading to a reduction in impaired driving. |
| Automated Speed Camera Enforcement
(Speed Camera; Automated Speed Cameras) |
A speed camera is a form of automated enforcement of traffic safety laws. Speed cameras photograph a vehicle’s license plate if the driver is speeding, and the vehicle owner or driver is sent a ticket. Mobile speed cameras are often used to cover multiple road segments, unlike red light cameras, which are used only at intersections. Automated speed camera enforcement should be used to aid traditional enforcement efforts or in locations where traffic stops are impractical or unsafe. |
| Vehicle Impoundment | One of the interventions in MV PICCS is for vehicles to be seized from driving while impaired (DWI) offenders and stored in an impound lot for a period of time; this is referred to as vehicle impoundment. An offender can either reclaim or surrender his or her vehicle when the impoundment period ends. |
Note: The short name is the same as the intervention name in the MV PICCS tool.
Page last reviewed: February 22, 2022