SmartStart Blog

IID Tip of the Day: Keep Your Unit in the Mount

July 14th, 2011 by samlamb85

Like a lot of other car devices, ignition interlocks come with a mount that can attach easily to your car’s console. I know that when you are in a rush, it is hard to put things back in their places. iPods find a new home on the floor or your GPS takes residence underneath your backseat. It happens. Cars can’t be neat all the time.

However, if you have been required to install an ignition interlock, I would suggest taking an extra few seconds out of your day to make sure your car is organized and your ignition interlock is stored properly in its mount.

When it is time to take a rolling re-test, you don’t want to risk your safety or your record by feeling around on the floor for your ignition interlock device. You want to keep your eyes on the road as much as possible, and you want to take the test before you get a lockout.

By keeping your ignition interlock in its mount, taking a few seconds a day can help you out in the long run.

Tags: , ,
Posted in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island | Comments Off

Understanding Lockouts

June 16th, 2011 by samlamb85

Most ignition interlocks have four kinds of lockouts. If your device locks out, the LED display on your IID’s screen will display, “LOCK”. Here the types of lockouts.

Temporary Lockout

This is a short lockout. In most states a temporary lockout is 15 minutes but it varies depending on your state’s laws. A temporary lockout will occur when you blow 3 fails in a 15 minute time period. During the 15 minute lockout, you are not allowed to retest. This is usually given when the interlock cannot give an accurate read.  You could have eaten something or used mouthwash that gave a false reading. Use this time to wash your mouth out with water.

Restricted Drive Time Lockout

Some IIDs are programmed with restricted driving times, depending on your state and severity of offense. Your device will lock out when you have surpassed your restricted drive time. You are not allowed to retest to continue driving.

Service Lockout

Be sure to make your recalibration appointments. If you do not, you will get a service lockout. It is important to pay attention to the LED on your ignition interlock. When your LED has a display that you need to service your car, a number will appear. This is the number of hours you have to get your car serviced until your device will lock you out. If you do get locked out, you will need to contact your service center to be able to drive again.

Violations Lockout

You will get a violation lockout after losing your last violation and exceeding the allowed lockout grace period. As your technician explained, you get a violation by having a high concentration of alcohol on your breath, amongst other actions (i.e. circumventing the interlock.) Like a service lockout, you will see a number that shows how many hours you have left until you get locked out. Once your car is locked, you must contact your service provider for assistance.

Hopefully this clears up any confusion you might have had as an ignition interlock user. If you need any more help or have any questions about ignition interlocks, don’t hesitate to contact your service provider.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in California, Connecticut, Nationwide, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island | Comments Off

Ignition Interlocks and Distracted Driving

June 9th, 2011 by samlamb85

DUI Attorney John Brangwin believes ignition interlock devices distract a driver from the road. However, it is unfair to imply that the interlock device itself increases the chances of danger on the road.

Attorney Brangwin wrote about a tragic accident caused by an interlock’s rolling retest in last week’s Wenatchee World. Apparently, an interlock user was ordered to take a rolling retest while he was on the road. However, the interlock distracted him and he ended up veering into a bus, killing his passenger.

This was a terrible tragedy and certainly a type of accident we’ve seen before except with other distractions (phone, food, makeup, etc.) However, why is it that for any other device (cellphone, makeup, etc.) the driver is at fault, but if it’s an IID the driver is using, it’s the fault of the ignition interlock and, ultimately, the law?

The accident Brangwin wrote about is certainly terrible and not anything I would wish upon even my worst enemy. However, it was the driver’s choice to take the rolling retest without pulling over. Furthermore, the driver chose to drink and drive in the first place!  As a blogger for this site, I’ve always encouraged drivers to pull over for rolling retests, as do many interlock manufacturers.

It’s a sad reality that many freak accidents happen on the road quite regularly. A driver can look away for one second and have his or her life taken away from them. Do the rolling retests on ignition interlocks cause a distraction leading to an accident? Yes. However, without ignition interlocks, let’s think about the greater number of preventable accidents that could possibly happen due to drinking and driving. The numbers and the logic speak for itself.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in California, Connecticut, Nationwide, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island | Comments Off

IID Users: Important Things to Remember When You Start Your Car

June 8th, 2011 by samlamb85

Using an ignition interlock can definitely be a hassle when you’re on the go, but if you follow these simple pointers, you can get your car started and be on your way!

Make Sure There’s No Trace of Alcohol.

We all know that alcohol doesn’t just exist in alcoholic beverages. Cold medicines, mouthwashes, and even some foods contain tiny traces of alcohol that can give the ignition interlock a false read. If you have eaten anything or used a mouthwash that contains alcohol in it, be sure to wait about 15 minutes if you want to start your car. Also, it is a good idea to rinse your mouth out with water.  For a list of mouthwashes that contain no alcohol, check out this list.

Remember the Blow-Hum Technique.

If you’re in a rush, it may be easy to forget that you need to blow into the ignition interlock in a very specific way. Most people call it the Blow-Hum Technique. It’s a good idea to practice beforehand, so when you’re on the go, you don’t need to waste any time trying to blow into the interlock correctly.

Prepare for Rolling Retests.

Think about how long your drive is going to take to predetermine when the device will ask for a rolling retest. A responsible IID user will not let the rolling retests sneak up on them. When it is time to take a retest, you definitely don’t want to be caught off guard. You don’t want to panic while on the road and you should be ready to pull over if need be. Above all, be cognizant of your IID not just when you start your car but when you are on the road as well.

If you follow these tips, you will likely not run into any difficulty with your ignition interlock.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in California, Connecticut, Nationwide, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Have Fun This Memorial Day Weekend Without Alcohol!

May 25th, 2011 by beckykate

If you have an ignition interlock, there are still ways to enjoy BBQs, parties, and general celebration this Memorial Day weekend.

Sure, it looks tempting to have a beer as you watch your friends and family drink and have a good time. However, it’s going to really suck at the end of the night when you want to go home and you can’t even start your car.

I did some research and found a bunch of recipes for some great non-alcoholic drinks. I picked out a few recipes that, to me, mimic the taste of an alcoholic beverage.

Don’t let those coolers of beer tempt you. If you’re responsible enough to install an ignition interlock, you’re responsible enough to make the right decision this weekend for a safe and happy holiday.

DrinksMixer.com

What Looks Good: Apple Citrus Refresher, Caboose Cooler, Cactus Juice Cocktail, Chocolate Cola Cooler, Cucumber Punch, Orange Cocktail, Pat Cocktail, Safe Sex on the Beach, Summertime Soda, Virgin Manhattan

Barnonedrinks.com

What Looks Good: Afterglow, Apple Frazzle, Bog Punch, Ginger Peach Cocktail, Orange and Tonic, Pac Man, Rumless Ricky

MarthaStewart.com

What Looks Good: Apple Ginger Sparklers, Pink Grapefruit Margarita

Mocktail Recipes on About.com

What Looks Good: Cardinal Punch, Cran Dandy Shandy, Green Lemonade, Sundowner

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Nationwide, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island | Comments Off

Ignition Interlocks’ Interesting Numbers

May 23rd, 2011 by beckykate

428,309,224- Number of alcohol-free starts, recorded by Smart Start

6,127,672 – Number of Alcohol starts prevented, recorded by Smart Start

1,000,000 – Number of vehicles with an ignition interlock if all states mandate the use of ignition interlock devices after a DUI arrest

150,000 – Number of DUI offenders within states that require mandatory car breathalyzers in their vehicles

10,000 – Number of lives purported by Consumer Affairs that could be saved if ignition interlocks were required by all 50 states

65 – Percent of alcohol violations reduced by repeat offenders with ignition interlock

40 – Percent of annual deaths caused by drinking and driving

13 – Number of states with mandatory ignition interlock laws

3 – Number of dollars a day a person would spend by installing an ignition interlock

2 –Number of states with no ignition interlock law (Alabama and South Dakota)

0 – Percent chance you’ll be arrested for another DUI if you install an ignition interlock

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Nationwide, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Ignition Interlocks and Alcohol Problems

April 28th, 2011 by admin

There was a story recently about an Ohio woman who got pulled over a DUI on her way to another DUI hearing. Of course, it’s a story that gets much ridicule and from a standpoint it is pretty ridiculous.

However, when I hear of stories like this, I can’t help but think about how sad it is. This woman must have a severe drug or alcohol problem and it seems like she needs to get some serious help.

Even though her arrest has been reported by media outlets, she isn’t the only one struggling with alcohol or drug abuse. For online sobriety resources, here are some helpful suggestions on where to start. If you’re interested in using an ignition interlock to assist with your alcohol issues, make an appointment to get one installed today!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Nationwide, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island | Comments Off

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.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Nationwide, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island | Comments Off

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.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Nationwide, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island | Comments Off

Rhode Island Representative Arrested at DUI Checkpoint

April 26th, 2011 by beckykate

DUI Arrest

Last Friday, Rhode Island House of Representatives Minority Leader, Robert Watson was arrested at a DUI checkpoint in New Haven. Police found what appeared to be marijuana and Rep. Watson is due to appear in court.

In a statement the following morning, Watson said the charge is one that he will “vehemently deny”. While he acknowledges the trace of marijuana that was found, Watson stated that he was sober at the time of arrest and was safely able to operate a vehicle.

Despite his statement, police gave Watson a drug test where he tested positive for marijuana. He also failed the field sobriety test.

This goes to show you that no one is above a sobriety checkpoint. Anyone can be pulled over at any one time, so it is important to be careful. It is equally important to install an ignition interlock if you have been required to install one. Getting stopped at a checkpoint can get you into even worse trouble if you fail to install an IID.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Rhode Island | Comments Off

« Older Entries