SmartStart Blog

Important Things to Remember When Installing Your Ignition Interlock

April 27th, 2011 by beckykate

Bring Your Paperwork

This is very important. The technician needs to know which location to send your results to and the terms of your sentence. Your paperwork is good to have on hand should any issues arise.

Ask About Your Car’s Battery Life

Although it is very uncommon for an ignition interlock to drain your car’s battery, be sure to check that your battery is in good working condition to handle an interlock.

Learn How to Blow Into an Interlock

Although blowing into an interlock is very easy, be sure the technician shows you the proper technique before you leave. You should also practice a few times, as well.

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Common Ignition Interlock Complaint: The Ignition Interlock is Draining my Car Battery

April 26th, 2011 by beckykate

Ignition Interlock Complaints

Let me preface this post by saying that similar to me not being a certified legal expert, I am neither a certified automobile expert. Every car is different. Whether or not an ignition interlock has an effect on your car depends on the car’s condition, among other things.

Caveat aside, for the most part, if you drive your car regularly, you should not have a problem with battery drainage. The only time you may expect your battery to drain is if you don’t use your car for an extended period time.  Truth be told, you can drain your battery a lot quicker if you leave your lights on than if you have an ignition interlock.

Be sure to talk with the technician about your car’s battery life to ensure no issues will happen.

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Common Complaint: “The Ignition Interlock is Too Expensive”

April 21st, 2011 by beckykate

Cost of Ignition interlock

I’ve heard a ton of complaints about the expensive prices of ignition interlocks. I know none of you are thrilled about paying for one.

No one wants to spend money on something they don’t want. I get it. But if you’ve been required to install an ignition interlock, it would be smart to get one. If you don’t fulfill your requirement, you and your wallet will be very sorry you didn’t install one right away.

Based on Smart Start’s prices, paying for an interlock is about 3 dollars a day. It is probably the same amount as a large coffee, which I know a lot of you probably get every day.

Furthermore, ignition interlocks are used as an alternative punishment to many things, including paying expensive fines or taking alcohol education classes (which you have to pay for). In the end, using an ignition interlock can possibly save you money.

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What is it Like to be an Ignition Interlock User?

April 21st, 2011 by beckykate

Using an Ignition Interlock

Gene Park of Staradvertiser agreed recently to go a week with an ignition interlock and report his experience to his readers. It is a very interesting piece, but there are a couple of things I want to point out.

A main point of Park’s article is that he felt embarrassed using the ignition interlock. He had a passenger in the car and felt uncomfortable doing the blow hum technique in front of her. Furthermore, Park claimed that he felt self-conscious in front of other drivers taking the rolling re-test on the road.

I think what Park needs to understand that ignition interlocks are for people who cannot drive without them. Being embarrassed usually isn’t an issue for most ignition interlock users. These are people whose freedom to drive was put on the line or are working very hard to overcome alcohol issues. I’m not trying to say ignition interlock users never feel insecure when utilizing one, especially in front of another person. It is just important to understand that at the end of the day, with the freedom and safety an interlock provides, most drivers a pretty thankful to have one.

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National High Five Day

April 21st, 2011 by beckykate

High Five

Did you know that today is National High Five Day?  Without sounding condescending, I just wanted to give a “high five” to those of you who stepped up and took responsibility for their DUI arrest. You made your court dates, fought your charges, and have agreed to install an ignition interlock.

All of these things are huge hassles. However, you agreed to step up and take charge. I have worked with a lot of people who don’t take their DUI charges seriously. They miss their courts dates and don’t hire a lawyer. Furthermore, a lot of people who are required to install an ignition interlock never do. Ultimately, they find themselves in deep trouble if they get pulled over again. Not only could they get another charge on their record, but the fines could increase and he or she may even have to spend time in jail.

Therefore, I just want to say “good for you” for taking responsibility and utilizing an ignition interlock. With the risk of losing your ability to drive, I sincerely hope an interlock is providing you with the driving freedom that you, at one point, thought you were going to lose.

Above all, high five!

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The Importance of Going to Your Ignition interlock Service Provider

April 20th, 2011 by beckykate

Ignition Interlock

I understand how much of a headache ignition interlocks cause. It is a hassle that no one wants. Furthermore, having to go in to your ignition interlock service provider every month is no day at the beach.

However, missing or not scheduling your monthly calibration appointment can have serious consequences. First off, if the judge or DMV (depending on your state’s ignition interlock laws) do not receive your results, you will get a violation. Having a violation could mean having your ignition interlock even longer or getting your license suspended or revoked.

Furthermore, you could even get your car towed for not heading in to recalibrate. If your service light comes on for any reason (you haven’t started your car enough times, not breathing correctly) you have only a certain number of days to go to your ignition interlock service provider before your car gets towed altogether.

These are consequences that can easily be avoided by making your appointment on time, showing up, and not putting anything off. Prove to the court, the DMV, and yourself that you can take responsibility for your actions. Before your know it, this mess will be behind you.

To schedule your appointment, fill out this form today!

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Common Ignition Interlock Complaint: “The Rolling Retests Distract Me from the Road”

April 19th, 2011 by beckykate

Distracted Driving

Everyone should be concerned about distracted driving and ignition interlock companies are not excluded from this. Cars are built with tons of distractions, in addition to cellphones, and these features and devices must be used in the safest way possible.

Rolling retests usually happen every ten minutes after you have started your car. Is it annoying? Yes. (But I’m sure there’s at least one person you’ve driven that irks you even more…)

Find out from your technician how often the rolling retests happen. Stay on top of time and know when a rolling retest may come up. Of course, when you’re in a rush, it could catch up with you and be an obstacle from getting to where you need. However, if you know that you’re going to be driving for a while, be prepared for a rolling retest to occur.

If you’re worried about being distracted by a rolling retest, pull over to take the test. You would pull over anyway to take a phone call (right?), so do the same when it’s time to take the rolling retest. It takes a few seconds to breathe into the interlock and then you can be on your way.

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Should Ignition Interlocks Be Installed Without a DUI Arrest?

April 19th, 2011 by beckykate

Public Intoxication

Poor Nicolas Cage. After being a box office punch line, his reputation didn’t fare better after an arrest this weekend for, among other things, being drunk in public. Apparently, a similar incident happened in March, although no charges were pressed.

This made me wonder about the proper punishments for drunken disorderly. Walking around drunk is a threat to everyone’s safety. Are there proper circumstances where an ignition interlock can be used to help people after a drunk in public charge?

Ignition interlocks have drastically reduced the DUI recidivism rate and have been a resourceful tool for people who are trying to cut down on their drinking.  If someone has a problem with drinking, and even though they didn’t get charged with a DUI, voluntarily installing an ignition interlock in their car may assist them as they change their habits.

However, installing an interlock without a DUI charge may be a hassle for some people. It may be too harsh a punishment for people who just got a drunken disorderly.

What do you think?

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Common Complaint about Ignition Interlock Devices

April 14th, 2011 by beckykate

I blog for an ignition interlock website. Trust me when I say it is not as exciting as blogging for a fashion site or a chocolate dessert review site. I don’t expect people to necessarily “like” this blog.

Furthermore, I don’t expect people to view having an ignition interlock as a truly awesome experience.

I know it’s not. Ignition interlocks suck. I’ll be the first one to say it!

However, if you are in a situation where you are required to install one, ignition interlocks are necessary whether you like it or not. You need to pay for your unwise choice.

I know on a daily basis you feel like you are paying too much for your DUI offense. I hear and read so many complaints every day, so I thought I could address one with you. Plus, I will address more complaints on other posts, so stay tuned.

Complaint: “My Car Won’t Start”

Ignition Interlock Troubleshooting

When you install your ignition interlock, you should have been instructed on how to breathe into the interlock properly. It’s a common misconception that you simply blow into the device. There is a very specific breathing pattern. To learn how to blow correctly into an interlock, please go here.

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Recidivism Rates Not Budging – Could Ignition Interlocks Help?

April 13th, 2011 by beckykate

Recidivism Rates

The Pew Center on the States found that the recidivism rate amongst inmates in state prisons remained stagnant in the past few years, despite the government’s efforts to reduce the number of people in prisons. According to the study, four out of every ten offenders return to state prison within three years.

I am no expert on the effectiveness of the prison system, but I feel like I can conclude that there is something not working within the prison system. Why isn’t it working? What is the government doing to change this system?

I only work with people who have been in a DUI, so I can only speak for that type of criminal defense. From what I read, ignition interlocks have reduced repeat drunk driving arrests by  67% in the states that have required DUI offenders to have one. That is a significant number of reduced DUI arrests! Furthermore, jail is not even involved and the offender can essentially carry out his or her daily responsibilities (driving work, picking up kids, etc.).

What do you think this means for the current prison system? If the rest of the country sees the effectiveness if an ignition interlock on repeat drunk drivers, how do you think lawmakers will use this data to change the penalties for other offenses?

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