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Ignition Interlock
Study finds drunk drivers of the number one cause for fatal wrong-way driving accidents

A recent study by the National Transportation Safety Board on wrong-way driving crashes cited alcohol-impaired driving as the leading cause of collisions. As a result of the study, the NTSB is now recommending that all first-time offender DWI drivers be required to have an ignition interlock installed on their vehicle. Currently, only 17 states require interlocks to be installed for first-time offenders.
 
These interlocks require the offender to blow into a chamber that is able to detect if they've been drinking.

"The first step to address the number one killer on our roadways is to do what is proven to be effective - use interlocks for all DWI offenders," said NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman.

The board has also strongly endorsed the continued development of passive alcohol detection technology to help prevent drunken driving. One such device is the Driver Alcohol Detection System for Safety -- it would prevent drunk drivers from operating vehicles by detecting alcohol on the driver's breath using breath analyzing and touch-based sensors.

In addition to methods designed to weed out drunken drivers, the report also recommends better lighting, enhanced signage and roadway markings, and GPS devices to provide warnings to drivers if they are traveling the wrong way on a road.

The NTSB also says that older drivers are more commonly involved in wrong-way collisions and is asking states to implement comprehensive older driver safety programs.
 
We reported earlier this year that France was requiring all of its citizens to possess a handheld breathalyzer in their vehicles.

Source: NTSB


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This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled
By Randomblame on 12/12/2012 4:02:19 PM , Rating: 2
The court costs alone are enough to prevent future incidents usually an ignition interlock requirement on first time offenders is a life ruiner for those who weren't born with a silver spoon those things are so dammed expensive. One stupid mistake and people will not be able to drive for years and because most first time offenders are young and just starting out they may never financially recover. The current system of requiring alcaholism evaluations and paying fines and scaring them with some jail time is usually more than adequate. I'm nervous about what Washington and Colorado are going to do about DWI with the new weed legality that's going to cause some issues


RE: Seems kind of excessive for first-time offenders
By ebakke on 12/12/2012 5:49:53 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
One stupid mistake and people will not be able to drive for years and because most first time offenders are young and just starting out they may never financially recover.
How about the people hit by first-time drunk drivers who will never physically recover, because, well.. they're dead.


By Randomblame on 12/12/2012 8:10:04 PM , Rating: 3
That's not what this will prevent this is to prevent repeat offences


RE: Seems kind of excessive for first-time offenders
By ebakke on 12/12/2012 8:11:42 PM , Rating: 2
Take away their license after the first offense.


RE: Seems kind of excessive for first-time offenders
By kfonda on 12/12/2012 11:52:12 PM , Rating: 2
I still think they should seize the car for forfeiture. This will be far more effective than taking their license. More people drive without a license than without a car :-)


By ebakke on 12/13/2012 11:13:47 AM , Rating: 2
The government has no right to seize my assets. They may take away the privileges I enjoy, such as driving, but they shouldn't be able to just take my car.

Take the license. If they're driving with a revoked license, that's a separate crime with a separate punishment (put them in jail).


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