In 2008 a poll conducted by AAA found that 80% of American supported the idea of requiring drunk driving offenders to have ignition interlock devices installed in their vehicles.
An ignition interlock is a device that is installed in a vehicle. If a DUI offender has to drive, he/she provides a breath sample by blowing into the device. The car will not start if the IID detects alcohol on the breath. Continue reading
Drunk driving is an ongoing issue and various organizations have tried to reduce drunk driving incidences by implementing various initiatives to help solve the problem. Currently the penalties for drunk driving include fees, jail sentences, mandatory DUI classes, and driver’s license suspensions. Recently, however, technology has been introduced such as the ignition interlock device (IID). It is being used by some courts throughout the U.S. The question remains, though: Is the IID helping to solve this drunk driving issue? Do these devices indeed reduce the risk of DUIs in repeat drunk drivers?
The ignition interlock device is installed in the car and if the DUI offender has to drive anywhere, he/she provides a breath sample by blowing into the device. The car will not start if the IID detects alcohol on the breath.
IIDs have been around since the 1960s and researchers have been studying them ever since. However, it wasn’t until the last 20 years that IIDs have been used by the courts. California was the very first state to enact legislation that gave permission to judges to make it mandatory that DUI offenders install IIDs in their vehicles. California was also the first state in which the ignition interlock program was evaluated.
In September 2005 the California DMV created a series of studies centered around the ignition interlock device. These studies are periodically published in a report and are available to the public. What researchers found out is that IIDs have the potential to be effective in reducing drunk driving incidences. That’s all good and well, but judges in California were not consistent in ordering drunk driving offenders to install an IID. Technically, the IID is effective, but it’s the actual program that is not consistent and therefore, not effective.
Here’s a news clip about ignition interlock devices…
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