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The future is here now... Your government is riding in your vehicle and recording you... It sounds Orwellian because it is. The future has arrived and you are required to accept it. With the Ignition Interlock Device now mandatory you really have no choice in 48 out of 50 states. Since July 1, 2010, California legislation requires all persons convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) under VC §§23152 or 23153, or Penal Code (PC) §191.5(b), in one of the four pilot counties (Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare) to install a certified ignition interlock device (IID) on each vehicle that he/she owns or operates.

An ignition interlock device (IID) is an engine shut-off device that is wired to your vehicle's ignition. The device must be installed by an authorized installer and you must provide proof of the installation to the court or DMV. After installation, your breath sample is required before the vehicle engine will start. If the IID device detects alcohol on your breath, the engine will not start. As you drive, you are periodically required to provide breath samples to confirm the continued absence of alcohol in your system. If any amount of alcohol is detected, the engine will shut off within minutes. You may need a tow truck and will later pay a hefty fine for the recorded violation.

Once installed in your vehicle, the IID must be calibrated and inspected by a certified installer at intervals not to exceed 60 days. The inspections make sure the device is working properly and that no violations have been logged. You will be required to pay a fee for each violation recorded. All violations are reported to the court or DMV and drivers may have their driving privilege suspended or revoked. If ANY person attempts to remove, tamper with, bypass the device, or ANY driver of that vehicle fails three or more breath samples or if YOU fail to comply with any requirement for the maintenance or calibration of the IID, DMV will immediately suspend or revoke YOUR driving privilege for the remaining period of the original suspension or revocation, and until all reinstatement requirements are met.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does it cost?
A: IID installation and monitoring fees vary among companies and may depend on your location. Call your local authorized installers for price quotes.

Q: Can someone use a balloon or other air source to mimic human breath?
A: No. The devices currently available have anti-circumvention techniques, which cause the IID to abort phony breath samples.

Q: Can a person with an IID restriction have someone else take the breath test for the driver to start the vehicle?
A: Not legally. Vehicle Code §23247 makes it unlawful for another person to blow into an IID or to start a motor vehicle equipped with the device for the purpose of providing an operable motor vehicle to a person whose driving privilege is restricted. If the car was started illegally, the person who started it or another sober individual would have to ride in the vehicle because the unit will randomly ask for a "running retest." If a test is not taken or if the test is failed, the unit will log a violation. With some devices, the horn will honk until the vehicle is turned off. California law imposes fines and/or jail for individuals assisting in the circumvention of the IID.

Q: Will the IID unit lose all memory if the battery is disconnected?
A: No. The unit has a back-up lithium battery to protect the data log's memory.

Q: If a driver gets stranded and thinks the IID unit is causing the problem, is there anything he/she can do?
A: Some units can self-diagnose problems and the driver will be able to confirm if the unit is having problems by the condition of the service light. The driver can also call a service provider to help determine if the unit requires service.

Q: Can a participant leave his/her car running outside of a bar, while drinking inside, and then drive away?
A: If someone tries to do this, the unit will randomly ask for breath tests while the vehicle is running. If a sample is not given when requested, the device logs a violation and with some devices, the horn starts to honk and emergency lights flash until the vehicle is shut off.

Q: What happens when the driver forgets his/her service appointment?
A: The device will prompt the driver. For example, a device may flash or the light may stay on and a tone will sound if it needs service. If the IID is not serviced, all IIDs will enter a lockout condition and the driver will not be able to operate the vehicle. Then, the vehicle would have to be towed to the service center or the service center technician would have to perform remote service.

Q: What if the driver is taking a medicine with an alcohol base?
A: Alcohol is alcohol. If the driver's blood alcohol concentration, as measured in the breath, is over the preset level, the driver will not be allowed to start the vehicle. During the training session, drivers are particularly cautioned about common substances that contain alcohol and the use of mouthwash.

Q: What if the driver uses mouthwash in the morning and the mouthwash has an alcohol base?
A: Again, alcohol is alcohol. If the driver does not allow sufficient time for the alcohol to dissipate from his/her mouth, a FAIL will be registered in the memory.

Q: What happens when a driver fails the breath test?
A: The IID will enter a short lockout period of a few minutes for the first failed breath alcohol test and a longer lockout for any subsequent failed breath alcohol test. This permits an opportunity for the alcohol to dissipate from the mouth and for the driver to consider the reason for the failed breath alcohol test.

Q: Can others besides the participating driver drive the IID-equipped vehicle?
A: Yes. However any intended driver must take and pass a breath test in order to start the vehicle. All other possible drivers should be trained on the operation of the device. The person with the IID restriction is responsible for all readings recorded by the device.

Q: What happens when the IID-equipped vehicle needs repair?
A: The driver needs to contact the IID service provider before having repairs conducted on his/her vehicle in case the repair shop has questions about the IID. Documentation must be provided if the power to the vehicle is interrupted as the unit will record the power disconnect and the reconnect.

Q: If the IID unit malfunctions, will it shut the vehicle off?
A: No. The IID unit has no means of interrupting vehicle operation once it is started.

Q: What happens if the vehicle stalls in traffic?
A: The IID unit permits the driver to restart the vehicle without having to conduct another breath sample, but a breath sample will be requested shortly after restarting.

Q: What happens if the driver is out of California and experiences problems with his/her IID unit?
A: Most states currently have IID programs with service centers to assist them. Drivers are instructed to contact the primary service center to be routed to the closest center for assistance.

Q: Will installation of the IID damage the vehicle?
A: No. The IID unit is only connected to the wiring under the dash and under the hood. At the end of the program, this wiring is restored to pre-IID installation conditions.

Q: Will the requirements to take a "running retest" cause the driver to take his/her eyes off the road creating a hazardous situation?
A: No. When the IID signals for a retest, the driver has a few minutes to provide the sample or to pull over to the side of the road in a safe area to provide the breath sample. There are no buttons to push; the driver must only breathe into the unit to complete a breath sample. This is much simpler than using a cellular telephone or tuning a state-of-the-art car stereo.

Q: How often does the device need a calibration check?
A: Typically, every 60 days.

Q: Can the device be tampered with by computer?
A: No. Proprietary software and a special interface connection are needed to communicate with the device.

Interlock Acceptance Agreement

You will eventually agree to accept whatever the court or DMV says so resistance is futile. Naturally, you will feel like a dummy but that will pass. Using the device is easy and it's here to stay. Ignition interlock devices have been installed worldwide on fleets of business and public transit vehicles like planes, trains, buses and taxis.
Interlock Dummy

In addition to court-ordered DUI installations, corporations currently market the devices for large and small business fleets as well as individual installations to give employers and parents another tool to go with their GPS tracking systems. Your boss and his boss will not only know exactly where you are at all times but if you have any detectable trace of alcohol in your system. Parents will easily convince well-behaved teenage drivers to go along with installing an ignition interlock device in exchange for their driving priveleges and a free car.
Interlock Santa

Of course, some drivers will be a little rebellious and a little wild and maybe drink a little too much even with the device installed. They will try all manner of risky behaviors in order to get around their predicament. Some people just take a little while to learn their lessons because they've become used to having so much fun. Unfortunately, chances are that someday their luck will eventually turn bad and it will seem so unworth the consequences.
Interlock Dating

Just as some drivers develop a bond with the voice in their GPS navigation systems you may eventually derive comfort and a sense of security from your ignition interlock device because it has kept you safe. There are several manufacturers of interlock devices and you may well have a preference for one device over another.