Things to Know About Ignition Interlock System by AdsofAlaska
Before the title confuses you, know this: an ignition interlock device requires a driver to give a breath test before starting the car. Some people are still unaware of this alcohol detection system, and some just have not faced it as not all the states have enforced the policy. What is an Alcohol detection system after all? The device works moderately simple. It demands you to take a compulsory before you start your car. If it detects the alcohol in that and if the reading of BAC - Blood Alcohol Concentration goes over 0.02, ignition automatically gets locked out. This system has helped the state to reduce the rate of drunk driving deaths. How does it work? This ignition interlock device is a kind of machine that is directly connected to an ignition system of the vehicle. It is wired in a way that before starting the car, the driver has to submit a breath test through a tube joined to dashboard monitor. The system then checks the amount of alcohol in your breath sample and decides whether you can operate and control the vehicle or not. If the results come less than .02, the car would start, but if it goes higher than the set level of BAC, the car would lock up itself. The driver would be prompted to submit more breath samples later on repeatedly in order to keep the car going. It also ensures that the driver remains sober as long as he or she drives. The driver gets 5 to 6 minutes to provide a periodic breath test, and if you do not submit one, the engine does not shut off, but It would be recorded fail by IID - Ignition interlock device. There are legal limits set in the cars or each state as per their law enforcement. So if the outcome of the breath sample is more than it should be, it would prevent the vehicle from starting. Thus, it requires a driver to provide an alcohol-free breath sample in order to start the car and drive it. One thing to bear in mind is, you cannot cheat IID. It is structured to forbid anyone but the driver from submitting the breath samples. The technology is a step ahead to recognize and create a pattern of your breath. The leash does not reach to any passenger or back seat of the car. Moreover, the IID keeps all the records of the attempts made to provide breath samples and efforts to start the car engine. It also has a lithium battery back-up to secure the memory of data log. Some cars even make you repeat the test a few times and shuts off the engine if you cannot pass the test. There are of course exceptions for the vehicle being used for work. First, you have to make sure your employer is notified and has approved it. Many truck drivers, delivery drivers, etc. are allowed for this exception to drive without the device in the vehicle. But it must be used for work purpose only and not for running personal errands or roam around like it is a private vehicle post-work hours. Remember that eating food loaded with yeast like bakery items can also set off the device. Avoid alcoholic mouth-washes or sprays, as well as the ignition interlock system, might react to that. The device is definitely innovative, but no machine can be flawless. So far, it has been working well and serving its purpose. It has resulted in severe criminal consequences. So make sure you use it in the right way. It is indeed being used in Alaska as ignition interlock system has been hugely helpful to lessen the drunk drivers and decrease the number of accidents.
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