Current interlock technology

Current Interlocks

Ignition interlocks are in-car breathalyzers that measure a driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC). They prohibit the engine from starting if a breath sample registers above a pre-set level, typically around 0.02 BAC.

Government statistics show that drivers who cause the majority of alcohol-related fatalities have incredibly high BACs—twice the legal limit in most cases. In-car breathalyzer technology was developed to keep these chronic alcohol abusers off the road.

But instead of using the technology to punish the worst offenders, anti-alcohol activists from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) are lobbying state governments to require the devices for low-BAC (blood alcohol concentration), first-time offenders.

The problem is that laws mandating ignition interlocks for all offenders deny judges the ability to distinguish between a driver one sip over the limit and high-BAC, repeat offenders.

That’s why 27 states have passed interlock mandates for high-BAC (.15 and higher) and repeat-offenders, while just 11 states target low-BAC, first-time offenders. Learn about state laws here.

Why is MADD so focused on mandating interlock for all offenders?

MADD’s internal polling shows that the first step in getting the public to accept mandatory interlocks in all cars is to convince them that marginal, first-time offenders deserve the devices.[1]

MADD says to focus on first time offenders. MADD says to push the debate so requiring alcohol ignition devices for repeated offenders seems like the compromise position.

MADD’s internal polling analysis reveals the
true purpose of first-offender mandates.

That’s why the first goal of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving is to get all 50 states to pass laws requiring the in-car breathalyzer devices for all drunk driving offenders. Their campaign isn’t about punishing offenders and making sure they don’t repeat their crime, MADD is on a mission to drum up public support for mandatory interlocks in all cars—set at low enough levels to prevent all moderate, responsible drinking prior to driving. Why such low levels?

With public opinion in mind, MADD has resorted to using bogus statistics as “evidence” that universal interlocks will guarantee safer roads. Learn which stats are true. And which aren’t.

Next step: Find out the difference between First Offenders and the Worst Offenders.

  1. Toward a Global Vaccine for Drunk Driving, 9th International Alcohol Interlock Symposium, pages 13-14 PDF

Did you know?

Did you know that Congress Might Pass an Interlock Mandate?

The Highway Bill, which is currently being debated in Congress, contains an extreme ignition interlock mandate that would force every state to punish all first-time DUI offenders with an in-car breathalyzer, even if they were just one sip over the legal limit.

Find out why that is the wrong way to fight drunk driving.