News

04/29/2005 - Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID)

Last year over 18,000 people were killed in alcohol related crashes in the United States. On July 1, 2004 the Indiana Legislature enacted Act 1264 authorizing the counties to utilize the ignition interlock to deter drinking and driving. The ignition interlock is a BAIID (Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device) that is installed in the vehicle of OWI offenders and requires them to take a breath test before their vehicle will start. Last year in Pennsylvania, the device prevented 33,745 people from starting their vehicles while impaired.

National Interlock is working with courts, prosecutors and probation officials in each county to develop their interlock programs. There are a number of questions regarding how the device and the monitoring program work and we do educational programs for the courts and for the police. We offer a 20 minute presentation with a Q&A session to learn more about this project. Contact Michael Bilyeu at (866) 679-1024 or mjbilyeu@nationalinterlock.com


03/07/2005 - Ignition Interlock Device - FOX 23 NEWS - New York

If the bill is passed a DWI offender will have to enter a special program -- the device will be installed in their vehicle at their expense. It looks like a breathalyzer machine police use. But this is a tool measuring blood alcohol levels that many hope will crack down on repeat drunk driving offenders -- it's called the Ignition Interlock Device.

The idea is this, if you are a DWI offender and you get in your car and try to start your engine you'll have to blow into the interlock device, which is wired to your engine, if you've been drinking even the slightest bit your car will not start.

Once the machine is installed in a repeat offender's car it'll periodically alert the driver two, three and four times to test again to make sure he or she hasn't been drinking after they initially start the engine.

Bill Dikant said, "It's a step in the right direction."

Bill Dikant of Castleton lost his wife and two children back in the mid-1970's when a drunk driver struck and killed them and has been outspoken ever since. He says the interlock device is a great idea -- but it isn't perfect.

Dikant said, "Show me where I'm not going to be able to say hey give this thing a puff so I can get home you know."

Lawmakers and Interlock's regional director Jack Dalton admit there are flaws. But supporters of this plan say anything to help get drunk drivers off the road is a start.

Karen Pettigrew said, "I think it's a wonderful part of the solution, I think it's a tool we can use to keep our roads safer."

Under the proposal the driver would have to have the machine maintained every 30 days. They'll also be required to undergo substance abuse counseling and meet weekly with victim support groups along with their probation officer.