MADD: Want to Stop Drunk Drivers? Ignition Locks Work

New evidence indicates that ignition interlock devices, which foreclose a vehicle'due south engine from starting if it detects the driver has been drinking, are working.

According to a new written report from MADD, these automobile-locking systems have stopped more than ane.77 million drunken drives across the country since states first passed ignition interlock laws. The technology is connected to a vehicle's ignition and requires a jiff sample before the engine starts. If the device detects a blood alcohol level that exceeds a pre-set limit, it blocks the car'due south engine from starting.

Every state at present requires ignition interlock devices for some drunk driving offenders, but MADD says current laws don't make it enough.

The arrangement recommended that all l states require ignition interlocks for all offenders following a drunk driving offense. Twenty-five states already accept such laws, including Texas, Arizona, West Virginia, and New Mexico.

"MADD knows ignition interlocks save lives, and they could save even more lives if every offender is required to use the device after the get-go arrest," MADD National President Colleen Sheehey-Church, whose 18-year-old son Dustin was killed by an underage drunk and drugged driver, said in a statement. "The fact that and then many people have attempted to bulldoze dumb — even after being caught and ordered to use an ignition interlock — tells united states of america that nosotros must put technology between all offenders and their cars."

Sheehey-Church building specifically called out states like Maryland, Florida, California, New Bailiwick of jersey, and Pennsylvania to adopt stronger ignition interlock laws.

"If your state is not ane of the 25 with an all-offender law, ask your legislators why," she recommended.

The U.Due south. Centers for Disease Control, meanwhile, constitute that ignition interlock devices have effectively reduced repeat drunkard driving offenses past 67 per centum. The National Transportation Safety Board has also in the past recommended that all convicted drunk drivers have ignition interlock devices installed in their cars.

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.

About Angela Moscaritolo

Angela Moscaritolo is PCMag's expert on fettle and smart home products. Educational activity yoga for about 10 years has helped her in evaluating a range of connected health products including fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, rowers, smart scales, stationary bikes, strength training machines, treadmills, and more. Angela also tests smart home devices from her ranch in Florida, including air purifiers, kitchen appliances, and robot vacuums, just to name a few.

Source: https://sea.pcmag.com/cars-auto/10187/madd-want-to-stop-drunk-drivers-ignition-locks-work

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