Ignition interlock device
The interlock device is located inside the vehicle, near the driver’s seat, and is directly connected to the engine’s ignition system.
In 1981, Jeffrey Feit, a student in New Jersey, placed in a statewide innovation contest with a primitive schematic of a breathalyzer based interlock device.
Semiconductor-type (Taguchi) interlocks were sturdy and got the field moving, but did not hold calibration very well, were sensitive to altitude variation, and reacted positively to non-alcohol sources.
In the US ignition interlocks are required to meet National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards.
A fuel cell sensor is an electrochemical device in which alcohol undergoes a chemical oxidation reaction at a catalytic electrode surface (platinum) to generate an electric current.
[2] Many countries are requiring the ignition interlock as a condition for drivers convicted of drunk driving, especially repeat offenders.
Some commercial and public organizations have also voluntarily adopted ignition interlock devices for their vehicle fleet, to reduce the risk of monetary and reputational damages from accidents caused by a drunk driving employee.
The driver had to meet a mentor every two months with examination of data readout for violations and Discussion of the participant‘s experience with the device and 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, but no mandatory medical or psychological examination.
[11] The Danish Road Safety Traffic Authority trialed the lock in 2015 in a voluntary program, which could replace a licence suspension of maximum two years.
[10]: 10 In France, the interlock programme has included a mandatory addiction consultation (without any ongoing monitoring during the program and no data analysis).
[12] In 2024, Italy implemented mandatory ignition interlock devices (alcolock) as part of its revised Codice della Strada.
Additionally, there is growing attention to extending the requirement to new vehicles to enhance road safety, aligning with broader European directives, though specific mandates for all new cars are still under discussion.
[10]: 15 From December 2011 the Netherlands started to use an interlock device for offenders who were caught with a blood alcohol level over a certain limit.
[16] Some provinces, such as Ontario,[17] Quebec,[18] and Manitoba[19] require any person convicted of drunk driving or refusing to provide a breath sample, to install an ignition interlock device into any vehicle he or she owns or operates, for a specified period of time (or for life), depending on the number of prior drunk driving offenses.
[22] It is estimated that the United States could be saving 800 lives per year if all convicted drunk drivers were prevented from being involved in a fatal crash.
[23] The standard device in the US consists of a mouthpiece mounted on a handheld unit and a cord that attaches to the vehicle’s ignition system and runs on the battery.
The largest ignition interlock device providers are made by Draeger, Smart Start,[25] Guardian, Intoxalock, based in Des Moines, Iowa [26] and LifeSafer.
Ignition interlock requirements are also imposed in some instances after an implied consent refusal under similar forensic procedures.
The installation company may provide regular reports to the Department of Motor Vehicles of a driver's home state regarding its usage.
In some cases, the driver may be penalized if a family member or mechanic disables the IID when not in use by the sanctioned individual, or temporarily for servicing the vehicle.
In the four counties under the AB 91 pilot program, all drivers convicted of a DUI offense are required to install IIDs in their vehicles as a condition to receive restricted driving privileges.
[35] SB 598 shortens the amount of time certain repeat DUI offenders will have to wait before becoming eligible to apply for restricted California driving privileges.
[37] Senate bill S824 decreases the length of driver’s license suspensions for drunk driving and refusing to submit to a breathalyzer test, but increases ignition interlock device requirements for these offenses.
All first-time DWI offenders in the state of New Jersey are required to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle.
[38] Also, if your license has been revoked for failure to submit to an alcohol test, you can regain your driving privileges if you install an ignition interlock.
[40] Also, if your license has been revoked for failure to submit to an alcohol test, you can regain your driving privileges if you install an ignition interlock.
[43] As of 2015, Rhode Island courts have had the power to grant a hardship license to DUI offenders following the installation of an ignition interlock device.
[45] As of Sept 1, 2015, anyone arrested for driving over the legal limit of .08% can opt for an IID restriction rather than wait for their driver's license suspension period to be up.
Some politicians in Sweden,[50] Japan, Canada, the US, and other countries have called for such devices to be installed as standard equipment in all motor vehicles sold.
Issues to be solved, besides consumer and voter acceptance, include difficulty in obtaining accurate measurements without inconvenience, and a need to achieve high reliability, in order not to interfere with vehicle usability.
