DUI Accidents and the Use of Ignition Interlock Devices
An ignition interlock device (IID) is installed in the vehicle of drivers in Montgomery, Prattville, and surrounding areas after DUI convictions under certain circumstances. The ignition interlock device prevents a person from starting a car if his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is over the legal limit. A personal injury lawyer knows that ignition interlock devices help to prevent collisions involving drunk drivers by making sure people cannot get on the road if they are not sober. 
When Is an Ignition Interlock Device Appropriate?
Mothers Against Drunk Driving believes it is important for everyone who is convicted of drunk driving to be required to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle. This is not currently how the system works. Although Alabama requires ignition interlocks for all motorists convicted of having a BAC above the limit, in some states only repeat offenders are mandated to have an ignition interlock installed. Even when all defendants must have this device put into their vehicle, MADD says that courts are inconsistent in enforcing the rules and actually mandating the use of ignition interlock devices (IIDs).
MADD reports that around 10,000 people die annually in drunk driving accidents. An estimated 30 percent of those deaths could be prevented if everyone who was convicted of driving drunk actually had to use an ignition interlock device preventing him from starting the car unless he was sober.
There are some arguments that take an even more strict position than MADD. HealthDay recently addressed a proposal that suggests every car should be required to come equipped with an ignition interlock device. This would mean that the required use of the devices would no longer be restricted to people who have committed alcohol offenses but instead would be required for every single driver before starting a car.
Obviously, this could be a significant inconvenience to drivers and it would also be costly to install ignition interlock devices in all vehicles. However, the study that Health Day reported on suggested that the tradeoffs may be worth it. Having a universal ignition interlock device requirement could save 59,000 lives, prevent 1.25 million injuries, and save more than $343 billion in money spent for DUI losses over the course of a 15-year period of time. The savings would more than offset any expenditures associated with the actual costs of installing ignition interlock devices while the public would benefit from having a reduced risk of getting hurt or killed in a drunk driving accident.
Most people likely disagree with the assessment that the tradeoffs make sense. The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) has indicated that it is unlikely a universal IID requirement would have public support. The GHSA stated that it would not support a universal requirement for ignition interlock devices in all cars unless public opinion changed, and unless there was a way to test a driver’s blood alcohol concentration that worked perfectly and did not pose a major inconvenience.
Some day, it is possible that technology will evolve enough that a seamlessly, flawless BAC test could be developed and the public would support putting it into every car. Until that time, it remains the responsibility of drivers to make smart choices even without a device that prevents them from starting their car when intoxicated.
Accident lawyers in Montgomery, Alabama can help if you have been injured in an accident. Contact the Mike Slocumb Law Firm at 1-800-HURTLINE. Serving Montgomery, Prattville, and surrounding areas. Â
