Ignition Interlock

According to a report by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of fatal crashes involving alcohol has remained at about 10,000 per year for more than a decade. One effective program that different states have taken up to impede driving while impaired is the installation of ignition interlocking devices. But what is an ignition interlock device? Read on to find out how it works, the different state requirements, associated expenses, and how Global Auto Solutions can help you with compliance. 


What Is an Ignition Interlock Device?

An IID is an alcohol breathalyzer device that you install on the dashboard and connect to your vehicle’s ignition. The automobile will only start after the driver blows into the appliance and it records a blood alcohol concentration that is below the set limit of about 0.02g/dl. 

Close-up of a car dashboard with a red start-stop button and silver control panel

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, ignition interlock installations help lower Driver Under Influence (DUI) or Driving While Impaired (DWI) repeat offenses by around 70%. Installing the device, however, comes with a lot of rules and regulations. Global Auto Solutions’s team of experts can help you navigate compliance and ensure safe driving.


How Does an Ignition Interlock Work?

Operating modern ignition interlock devices is pretty intuitive once you get used to it. After getting into your vehicle and turning on the ignition, there’ll be a delay as the engine will not start. The IID will prompt you using beeping sounds or blinking lights to provide a breath sample. All you have to do is blow steadily into the mouthpiece until you hear a tone. 


Your appliance will analyze your breath and display the outcome in a few seconds. If the reading is below the preset Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit, you have passed the test, and the device will send a signal allowing your vehicle to start. If the reading is above the limit, your engine remains disabled, and the device logs/records the violation for reporting. 


Testing doesn’t necessarily stop once you start driving. Your IID may prompt you with random retests to guarantee your ongoing sobriety. We call the additional breath samples you provide on the road at random intervals rolling retests. 


Does the engine suddenly turn off during these retests? Luckily, no, your IID provides you with a few minutes to safely pull over by the roadside and give a sample. In case you ignore the rolling retest, it may trigger an alarm with accompanying flashing lights or honking horns. You can have Global Auto Solutions check out your IID in case it's malfunctioning. 


Who Is Required to Join the Ignition Interlock Program?

The IID program has become a critical policy in combating driving under the influence. Depending on the circumstances, conviction and suspension of your license are some of the penalties that come with DUI arrests. An alternative to these penalties is enrolling in an ignition interlock program with Global Auto Solutions’s assistance.


If you opt to join, you must install an IID in your vehicle and provide periodic breath samples as the device dictates on the road. The program provides drivers with a DUI arrest the chance to regain driving privileges while demonstrating compliance. 


By following all interlock device requirements and participating fully, you can rebuild trust on the road and eventually restore your independence. Tampering with or removing the device without authorization violates the program’s rules. 


The IID Requirements

Modern-day IID laws have evolved immensely, and there are different ignition interlock laws by state. Generally, you may have to enroll in the IID program under the following circumstances:


  • If convicted of a DUI with a high blood alcohol level
  • If you’re a repeat offender
  • If you refused a breathalyzer test 


The timeframe of the required interlock may vary between a few months to years, depending on the prevailing state regulations and the specifics of your case. 


In addition, not every vehicle is ready for an ignition interlock device. Your vehicle must meet certain specifications, like having a compatible ignition system that allows the device to connect. Installation also needs to happen through approved ignition interlock providers like Global Auto Solutions to ensure full compliance. It requires regular inspection and calibration to guarantee reliability and accuracy. 


The Associated Ignition Interlock Costs

The expenses that accompany court-ordered ignition interlock devices fall into the following categories:


  • Installation fee
  • Monthly monitoring fee
  • Maintenance and calibration visits
  • Lockout service calls due to device problems
  • Removal fees 


Global Auto Solutions offers payment plans that make the IID program more manageable. Some states provide low-income individuals with assistance programs. 


Blowing Toward a Safer Future: Let Global Auto Solutions Help 

Installing an ignition interlock in your vehicle may be a court-ordered requirement following a DUI or DWI offense. It serves as a road safety measure and provides you with a way to regain your license legally. As a licensed service provider, Global Auto Solutions can help with the DUI interlock device installation and maintenance. Contact Global Auto Solutions via (770) 931-0222to schedule interlock device installation or recalibration, or visit us at 2710 Lawrenceville Hwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30044.