The Return of DUI Ignition Locks

Before most of us woke up, possibly hung over, on January 1st, 2009; many states had officially set new laws in place for convicted DUI drivers. Many may remember a few years back the idea of breathalyzers being placed between the ignitions of vehicles requiring drivers to “blow” a clean meter before the vehicle could be started.

The idea did not seem to go far, with so many obvious ways to counteract these measures, such as having someone else breathe, or simply driving another car. But some states statistics showed a dramatic decrease in DUI related deaths, and the device was considered a success. Now, drivers previously convicted of DUI may now face this penalty instead of completely having their driving privilege removed. The idea first came about when many DUI convicted drivers where being given “hardship” licenses to be able to still use a vehicle to travel to and from a place of employment. The objective of removing repeat offenders from the roads became a null point.

In 2005, New Mexico became the first state to start requiring the use of the device and over the course of a year saw the DUI related death rates drop nearly 25% That was enough evidence for the device to make a strong return. Since then nine other states have followed the practice. First time offenders may be given the option to install the device for the period of time in which their licence would otherwise be suspended or revoked. Opting not to install will still get a driver those penalties.

The Ignition lock is only the first step into technology to prevent drinking and driving, and in the future even more advanced technology will likely become available that will be able to detect drunk drivers though numerous other ways too difficult to bypass.