SBIR-STTR Award

Use of Autotimer in Alcohol/Drug Rehabilitation
Award last edited on: 11/26/02

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
NIH : NIAAA
Total Award Amount
$550,000
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
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Principal Investigator
William B Leaf

Company Information

Prototypes Inc

10449 Metropolitan Avenue
Kensington, MD 20895
   (301) 942-1731
   N/A
   N/A
Location: Single
Congr. District: 08
County: Montgomery

Phase I

Contract Number: 1R43AA006523-01
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase I year
1984
Phase I Amount
$50,000
This project is directed to the reduction of the morbidity and mortality associated with alcohol use, alcohol abuse, and alcoholism. Problem drinkers, alcoholics, and other drug users present a major highway safety problem. Suspension of the driver's license is a frequently used penalty when these individuals are convicted of driving while impaired. Because the probability of being apprehended for driving without a license is very low, many offenders continue to drive despite revocation. To avoid interfering with the ability of the individual to earn a living, the court will often issue a restricted license that allows driving to and from work or while on the job, but not during evening hours when most alcohol-related accidents occur. Improved supervision of license restrictions could reduce the f requency with which offenders become involved in accidents.This study is designed to determine whether an electromechanical device ("Autotimer") attached to the car of an offender can monitor driving to ensure that it conforms to the hours of the day set by the court. The cost-effectiveness of this monitoring system will be determined in relationship to the current practice of permitting unsupervised restricted licenses to be issued to drunk driving offenders.V

Phase II

Contract Number: 2R44AA006523-02
Start Date: 00/00/00    Completed: 00/00/00
Phase II year
1987
(last award dollars: 1988)
Phase II Amount
$500,000

Phase I involved the development and road test of a prototype Autotimer. This is a device that records unauthorized driving by a suspended drunk driver who has been granted permission by the court to drive to and from work.Phase II will include a large-scale field test of the Autotimer. In this field test, the court will provide individuals whose licenses are suspended with the opportunity to have the Autotimer device installed in their vehicles. Those that accept this opportunity will pay an installation and monitoring fee for the 6-month suspension period. In the course of the evaluation, approximately 1,000 offenders will be provided with the Autotimer. Their driving records during the suspension period and for a period of 1 year following the end of suspension will be compared with offenders who are suspended or who received limited licenses without the requirement of a monitoring device. The objective of the Phase II field test is to demonstrate that the Autotimer will reduce alcohol-related accidents of convicted drunk drivers.National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)