Being a parent is not easy. Even when your teenager has never caused you any problem, the transition to being a driver can be challenging. If you have a teen that has a history of using drugs or alcohol, that challenge is amplified many times over. One way that some parents deal with the challenge of having their teenager transition into their driving years is through the use of products offered by ignition interlock companies. Knowing that your young driver is not able to even start the car until they pass a drug and alcohol breath test can make those hours when your child is away less stressful.
As worried as teenage parents are about the young drivers in their home, we all know that driving under the influence is not only a problem for teenagers and other young drivers. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a problem for drivers of all age. In fact, the yearly costs of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $59 billion. Worse yet, some drivers have a habit of repeatedly driving under the influence. Some of the latest statistics indicate that drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher involved in fatal crashes were six times more likely to have an earlier conviction for DWI than were the drivers with no alcohol in their system.
The use of car breathalyzers that are produced by ignition interlock companies can help monitor and limit the driving of those who are suspected of driving under the influence in the past. Consider some of these facts about how interlock cups and other interlock devices are implemented to help save lives:
- Still limited in their usage, there are already 150,000 interlock systems now in cars in the U.S. Many of these devices have been placed there for drivers who have multiple DUI convictions.
- As soon as ignition interlock companies are installed, interlocks are associated with a 70% reduction in impaired driving arrest rates.
- Factors that lead parents to forcing their children to use products like discreet breathalyzers include previous indications of poor decisions about drinking or taking drugs.
- Every day in America, another 28 people die in accidents that are a result of drunk driving.
- Driving demands careful and full attention to many details, something that simply cannot happen if the person behind the wheel is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Reducing the number of repeat offenders is the goal of ignition interlock devices. In fact, these devices help reduce repeat offenses even after the device is removed by 39% when compared to offenders who have never installed an interlock.
- Ignition interlock sytsems prohibit the engine from starting if the alcohol sensing device registers above a pre-set level. This level is often set around 0.02 BAC.
- Very likely, if interlocks become mandatory equipment in all cars, these devices will be set far below the legal limit of 0.08. Many indications are that those lower limits are likely to be set at 0.03 to 0.04.
- In many states across the country, drivers can be arrested for and convicted of DUI with a BAC below 0.08.
- Newer ignition interlock devices will prompt drivers to perform a rolling retest five to 15 minutes after the vehicle is started, as well as randomly throughout the trip.
- Give your teenagers a chance to have a safe driving experience every time that they get in the car by installing a ignition interlocking system.