Ignition Interlock

If you are required to have an ignition interlock or breath-alcohol tester installed into a vehicle, you should know over the past ten years more people have chosen an Ignition Interlock over any other device available. And for good reasons: Ease of use, size, cost, proven reliability and the outstanding support provided by ESA.

How does the program operate?
Features
Legislation

How does the program operate?

After receiving your court order to install an ignition interlock device, call us to set up an appointment to set up the equipment lease and monitoring services, install the equipment, and train you on how to use it properly. There is a $40 installation fee, in addition to a $70 monthly lease. $5 per month extra (optional) for insurance to cover the equipment. There is also a $35 de-install fee for removing the equipment from your vehicle. Missed appointment fee is $35. After installation, we will give you a phone number you can call 24 hours per day for service, questions or problem resolution.

We perform all installations/de-installations at our Blue Springs office at 2307 N.W. South Outer Road, Suite, 203. Call for an appointment at 816-224-5372.

You, and any users of the interlocked vehicle, will be trained during installation, on the proper use of the device and what is expected of you to stay in compliance with your program. You will be required to come to the Blue Springs office every thirty days for scheduled service. This will include calibration of the device, physical inspection of the device, vehicle and wiring for signs of physical tampering and downloading of all data contained in the machines.

ESA is required by law to report installation and monitoring compliance, or non-compliance. We are not able to access the data, nor are we legally permitted to discuss "findings" from the data. Any questions regarding data findings should be directed to the Department of Revenue, where the data is reported to.

Once you complete the program, the IID will be removed and your vehicle will be restored to its original condition.

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FEATURES

The FC100 is an alcohol-specific device only responding to the presence of alcohol. It was designed to meet and exceed technical guidelines for Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices published April 7, 1992 by NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration).

The following features are software programmable:

HUM TONE. Requires client to deliver a hum resonance while blowing the alcohol test prior to starting the vehicle. Deters techniques utilized to mimic human breath or to absorb alcohol.

RANDOM OR FIXED RETEST. The client is alerted and given a grace period to retest after the vehicle is put into the run state. The test can be delivered while operating the vehicle. Breath test refusal or failure is recorded and sanctions are imposed, including honking of the car's horn. Deters drinking after completing a sober start and vehicle idling at bars.

TIMED-LOCKOUT. The LifeSafer can be programmed to accept a breath test during specified times and otherwise remain interlocked. Restricts driving hours and allows for the device to be temporarily used as an immobilization tool.

BYPASS DETECT. If a breath test is not passed within a prescribed period of time after the vehicle is put into the run state, the horn will begin honking until the vehicle is turned off or a breath test is successfully passed. All events are recorded. Deters hot-wiring and push-starting of vehicles.

EVENTS LOG. A built-in memory chip records all events associated with the use and /or misuse of the device. Reports are generated through a Personal Computer in a summary and complete hard-copy format.

VIOLATIONS RESET. If the pre-determined number of violations occurs during a monitoring period, an early inspection is required. Failure to report will result in immobilization of the vehicle. Violations are quickly identified and reported to the jurisdiction.

SERVICE REMINDER RESET. Reminds the client of a scheduled monitoring check. Failure to have the device monitored within the scheduled time period is a violation and results in a device lock-out.

POWER INTERRUPT. A dated record of when the 12 volt power has been disconnected or interrupted. The device maintains memory through an onboard back-up lithium battery. This condition (other than Tampering) can occur when a vehicle's battery is disconnected due to repairs or is replaced. Clients are required to provide documentation of repairs.

VEHICLE RESTART. In the event of a vehicle stall, the driver has a grace period during which the ignition can be turned off and re-engaged without having to submit an additional breath test.

EMERGENCY BYPASS. If the Bypass is invoked, the client must return to the service location before the vehicle is immobilized. Proof of an emergency is forwarded directly to the referring agency. Service Centers may be pre-authorized to invoke the Emergency Bypass in the event of a device malfunction.

REQUIRED CALIBRATION. A feature that if set will not allow a service center to reset the interlock device without first conducting a computer controlled calibration if a specified period of time has elapsed since the previous calibration.

EARLY SERVICE RECALL. Is a feature that will require the operator to return to the service location within a specified period of time should the device detect that the alcohol sensor may be ready to fail.

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Legislation

As of July 2004, 75,000 IID's were installed in the United States as a result of 42 states passing and implementing some form of enabling or mandated requirement for certain DUI/DWI offenders to install and maintain an ignition interlock device as a condition of license reinstatement or probation after a drunk driving conviction.

Ninety-five percent (95%) of the interlock devices installed were in twenty-one states with the State of Texas being the largest at approximately 12,500. Most of these states with notable and sustainable IID programs came about primarily as a result of Congress passing the TEA-21 Transportation Restoration Act in June of 1998.

Each State shall require as a minimum penalty, that an individual convicted of a second or subsequent offense for driving while intoxicated, (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) after a previous conviction for that offense shall:

• Receive a driver's license suspension for not less than 1 year.
• Be subject to the impoundment or immobilization of each of the individual's motor vehicles or the installation of an ignition interlock system on each of the motor vehicles.
• Receive an assessment of the individual's degree of abuse of alcohol and treatment as appropriate.
• Receive for 2nd offense, not less than 30 days community service or 5 days of imprisonment; and for a 3rd and subsequent offense, not less than 60 days community service or 10 days of imprisonment.
• Failure to enact such provision will result in 1 and percent of the funds apportioned to the State under paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of Section 104 (b) will be transferred to the State's 402 apportionment beginning on October 1, 2000 and increasing to 3 percent on October 1, 2002.

While many more than twenty-one states passed laws to come into compliance with Section 164 and sought to expand their use of ignition interlock programs, there were notable implementation and rule issues and barriers to interlocks effective use. Those were and are:

• The one year license suspension must be a hard suspension with no restricted driving even if an interlock is installed
• The interlock should be installed after the revocation period and must be installed on each vehicle the offender owns not operates, which creates a big loophole by transferring title to vehicles
• No allowance for an employer exempted vehicle.
• Courts were required to order the installation of the device and Judges exercised their discretion not to
• Administrative licensing authorities were not given specific authorization to carry-out and impose the IID mandate if the courts failed to act
• Many of the statutes passed only created an interlock restriction period which expired, allowing the repeat offender to simply “sit-out” a longer suspension period

The TEA-21 Highway Transit bill is currently up for re-authorization in Congress. As of June 1, 2004, two versions have passed and sit in Conference committee. An extensive lobbying effort by LifeSafer has resulted in several amendments being added to both the House and Senate versions.

On the Senate side; Section 164 would allow the one year hard suspension to be reduced to 90 days with an interlock restriction required for the remainder of the license suspension and such restriction would be tied to the Driver’s license not the vehicle.

On the House side; Section 164 would do the same as the Senate version except to allow the hard suspension to be reduced to 45 days versus the 90 days contemplated by the Senate. Also, the House version would also allow for the Interlock restriction under Section 164 to become a qualifying criteria for the largest Highway Safety Block Grant under Section 410.

Once signed into law, the new Federal minimum penalties for repeat DUI/DWI offenders will not only have some incentive for voluntary participation but will also make sense for the States and Courts to impose in drunk driving sanctioning.

No state with an existing mandatory IID state law and viable interlock program complies with all three requirements stated above.

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