Occasionally used for first offense cases, and employed often in second or third offense cases, this is a device that prevents drivers from operating their car while impaired from drinking. The device works in a similar manner to a breathalyzer in that it requires the driver to blow into it and tests the driver’s BAC.
If the BAC is at or above the legal limit, the car will not start and the driver will be unable to drive. Furthermore, the driver cannot get someone else to start the car for them and then proceed to drive while intoxicated. The ignition interlocking device requires that drivers repeatedly blow into it at regular intervals while driving to make sure there is no change in the BAC.
If the device registers a BAC above the legal limit while the car is in motion, it will alert the driver to safely stop the car and turn off the ignition. When this does not occur within a specified amount of time or the driver does not generate a legal BAC, the car will activate its alarms, horn, and emergency lights. The flashing and beeping will not stop until the car has come to a stop and been turned off.