Ignition interlock devices are becoming one of the newest tools to allow people convicted of driving under the influence back on the road as part of a probation agreement.
You may wonder just what an ignition interlock device is. It is a system used to determine whether or not you have consumed alcohol before starting up your vehicle. To use the device, you must blow into the handheld device, which is usually attached to the dashboard of the vehicle. If your blood alcohol content, or BAC, is over a certain limit, the vehicle will not start. This limit is normally set to .02 or .04 percent.
For ignition interlock devices to be approved by the NHTSA, they must require a “rolling retest” in addition to the initial “start” testing. This rolling, or running, retest is to circumvent drunk drivers from having sober friends take the initial test to start the vehicle. If the driver fails the rolling retest, or refuses to take it, the vehicle’s lights will flash until the vehicle has been stopped. The device will also record this information.
Many people erroneously believe it might be easy to trick an ignition interlock device. This is untrue. Sophisticated safeguards have been developed making it very difficult to circumvent the device.
The driver must pay the cost of installation and maintenance for an ignition interlock device. The driver must also bring the device in periodically to be maintained.
These devices allow DUI offenders to run errands, go to work, pick up the kids from school, and otherwise lead an undisrupted life.
While ignition interlock devices can be helpful for people who would otherwise not be allowed to drive, it is not a perfect system. For example, it is impractical to order someone to have an ignition interlock system on every vehicle he or she owns.
It is also very easy for a driver to simply avoid the ignition interlock device by driving another vehicle without this system.
Are ignition interlock devices a good solution for people who have been convicted of driving under the influence?
