Comments on: Ignition Interlocks: Is the Media Finally Getting It?

By: Justin

Justin — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 12:12:20 +0000

I forgot the acronym for this BAID? or something — but the device is interesting to say the least.

It does damage your car and it lowers the value on the car when the machine is introduced and taken away. It does cost a lot of money to have one installed and maintained for the term of probation — in the thousand dollar range.

Does it work? Yes and no. Yes it can not make your car work due to _any_ alcohol on your breath (Not in your blood) so… don’t use mouthwash. Can someone else who has no alcohol on their breath blow? Yes. The machine has a random restart as I understand it (I’ve never used one) that asks the driver to take the test again in five minutes while driving. If the driver does not comply it starts honking your horn and flashing lights – this in my opinion is a distraction to other drivers and probably illegal. You only use your horn in case of emergency if my drivers education class is still correct.

Will it automatically shut the car off? Supposedly no. Has it ever malfunctioned and killed the ignition? I haven’t heard any incidences to date. But it will cause a hysteria to your car – (You could disable the lights and horn easy enough imho.) The machine does keep a log of “blows” so your probation if they are not too lazy could get you in trouble again.

Also, you get some sort of “restriction” on your license stating you are required to be driving the vehicle with the tube. I think it is a W. Scarlet Letter anyone?

Also I remember the Idaho legislature entertaining a bill that would add another restriction to your license so you could not buy alcohol if you’ve ever had a DUI. At all… period or consume it. I find this law to be nearly impossible to enforce fully but I am sure they could get some people with it.

I haven’t seen an article on the proposed Oregon Tax regarding the purchase of beer (not alcohol) just beer 1900%.

By: welshtr5

welshtr5 — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:39:29 +0000

There are just under 10,000 interlock users in Maryland. Of the $80-$90 (average cost per month) montly cost that every user pays to submit montly requirements, $40 dollars or so goes to the MVA coffers. That’s about 4.8M a year.

Considering all the states are broke because of the current financial crisis, I can see where govt. agencies will be incentivized to increase extortion money every which way they can.

In MD, I put the DUI business at 100M and then some.

By: joe

joe — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:26:50 +0000

Another example of the squeakiest wheel getting the oil. What MADD doesn’t seem to understand is that personal responsibility isn’t something that can be mandated by a court or a machine.

By: elf

elf — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 22:14:59 +0000

i am physically unable to do a Ignition Interlock due to an indented chest bone i was born with. i went to dr as i was told to do. first dr didn’t help me.
i finally found one who would. he wrote a letter for me. my lawyer will forward it to the medical review board.

certain foods set off the device. asthma meds can give false readings. i also think its dangerous blowing when driving.
where i live you can’t always pull to the side of the road, and would not want to in some neighborhoods, like one i have to go through to supervision.

this another way madd has gone madd! its having to prove you are guilty!

dmv supervision is still making making me come once a month ( 25 miles way) (cause i don’t have my license back. supposed to go to a meeting a week, can’t bike at night here.

dmv. madd and insurance co’s all in it together $$$$$.
diane