Ignition interlock device

An alcohol - Zündschlosssperre, also: alcohol - immobilizer, is the technical connection of a device for breath alcohol analysis with an immobilizer. The purpose of these devices is to prevent using an ignition interlock car driving under the influence of alcohol.

Technology

An alcohol Zündschlosssperre consists of two components: a mounted within reach of the driver's seat with a hand-held device and a measurement indicator control unit, which is installed below the valve cover. The driver applies first the ignition. Will appear, eg by a beep and an LED light on the handset, to submit a breath sample. The handset measures the alcohol concentration of the breath and blew after about five seconds, the result is displayed on a display. If the measured value of the breath alcohol does not have a pre- programmed value (for example, the legal limit ) gives the controller will start the event stream. The engine can now be started. However, if too high a breath alcohol concentration measured, the controller blocks the starter and the startup function of the motor.

As a sensor in the handheld device, a mini fuel cell is used which is only responsive to ethanol. This sensor detects breath alcohol content as a quantitative measure and shapes it into an electronically readable signal. Modern appliances store event logs, such as the results, date and times of breath tests. The logs can from a central server of a company, eg be of fleet management viewed or downloaded locally on a computer. The settings can be ( eg with regard to change of shift or a day) adapted to the requirements of the company. Requires the operation of a fast driver change, as is usual at about buses in large cities, the unit can be programmed so that a test within the shortest possible time, without the vehicle having to be restarted.

Retrofitting and costs

In Europe, the factory-installed is currently available exclusively from the car manufacturer Volvo under the name Alcoguard. The Swedish truck manufacturer Scania offers for trucks and buses at a factory preparation that enables quick installation without re-wiring each device type.

Retrofitting is possible for almost all motor vehicles. The cost is in Germany between 1000-2000 Euro, in Switzerland about 1,500 CHF. There are also the ongoing costs of calibration, which - depending on the model - every six to twelve months is required.

Situation in individual countries

United States of America

In the U.S., alcohol Zündschlosssperren be used since 1986: With the Farr -Davis Driver Safety Act of California, the first legally binding regulations for the use of Autolocks in alcohol-related offenses drivers in California were created. Today, all 50 states have introduced legislation on the use of alcohol Zündschlosssperren. The conditions are designed differently: Some States require the installation and use of alcohol Zündschlosssperren for any driver convicted of drunk driving before, others only for repeat offenders or from a specific blood alcohol amount. Many states permit requirements for installation in the context of discretionary decisions of the judge. The Californian company autosense in Silicon Valley is claims to be a pioneer and introducers of the first Alkolocks, this claim is not substantiated. In the United States alcohol Zündschlosssperren are now considered technically mature and trouble- free; Manipulations are almost impossible. The abbreviation IID ( for: ignition interlock device) they are part of everyday parlance.

European Union

Alcohol abuse is responsible for around 25% of road deaths in Europe. The EU, therefore, for years through extensive studies on the effectiveness of alcohol - Zündschlosssperren. This evidence, according to the European Commission that the devices are alcohol-related offenses drivers in terms of recidivism substantially (40 to 95%) are more effective than conventional Ahndungsmethoden (such as license suspension or fines ). Accordingly, it can be achieved by the use of alcohol Zündschlosssperren that repeated alcohol- striking drivers can keep their license and nevertheless be held successfully from using their car in a drunken state. The studies also underscore the potential role of these devices in the context of rehabilitation programs: Although alcohol Zündschlosssperren themselves have no therapeutic effect, however, can successfully support therapies. One of these studies consisted of a one-year field trial with Spanish and Norwegian bus drivers, truck drivers German and Belgian drivers who were convicted of alcohol abuse and alcohol-dependent people. The experiment showed the practical feasibility of both commercial and private sectors. On 27 September 2011, the European Parliament has adopted a comprehensive catalog of road safety measures. Among the more than 100 proposals, inter alia, a part of the installation of alcohol - Zündschlosssperren in all new vehicles commercial passenger and freight transport in Europe and in particular alcohol-related offenses drivers.

Austria

In Austria, there are no regulations on the use of alcohol Zündschlosssperren. The Department of Transportation in 2011, a comprehensive road safety program started, which also includes pilot projects to a possible introduction of alcohol immobilisers in road freight transport. A first pilot test with trucks, which was also supported by the Association of carriage of goods trade could be completed in early 2012: The results were evaluated consistently positive; half of the 23 participating transport companies advocated since government regulations, 35 % advocate for voluntary schemes.

In another pilot project, the Road Safety Board has provided in cooperation with the Salzburg Chamber of Commerce for several taxis and school transport vehicles with alcohol immobilizers. 2012 occurred in Austria 2,684 accidents involving drunken parties; while 3,425 people were injured and killed 39.

Germany

In Germany currently lacks a legal framework for the use of alcohol Zündschlosssperren. In addition to unresolved traffic and criminal matters, there are doubts as to the compatibility with the Basic Law, in particular the principle of proportionality. This requires, among other things, that any government intervention which engages fundamental rights, is necessary and appropriate. An introduction of alcohol Zündschlosssperren in Germany, therefore, requires careful consideration of all the pros and cons. This is especially true with regard to the limitation of the right to property (Article 14 of the Basic Law ) and the general freedom of action ( Article 2, Paragraph 1 of the Basic Law ). The Federal Highway Research Institute has therefore launched on 1 July 2011 at the request of the Federal Ministry of Transport, a pilot project in which first the legal requirements to be clarified. In a second phase, people are to be determined that voluntarily participate in the project. Then the actual test phase is planned with subsequent evaluation. First results and recommendations should be available in 2013, but the release has been delayed. The title of the research project are: improving the safety effectiveness of rehabilitation for alcohol- striking drivers by the use of alcohol interlocks. In March 2012 sat 's then chairman of the transport committee of the German Bundestag, Anton Hofreiter, in an interview in an automobile newspaper for the introduction of alcolocks in school buses one.

France

Alcohol abuse and driving is responsible for 31% of all deaths in France. In October 2009, a regulation was adopted, with the installation of alcohol - immobilizer ( französ.: ethylotest anti- DEMARRAGE ( EAD) ) requires all new school buses from 1 January 2010. From 1 September 2015, the existing school buses must be retrofitted. Already in September 2011, regulations came into force requiring in the context of rehabilitation programs and the installation of alcohol - Zündschlosssperren in vehicles of repeat offenders. In addition, some French forwarders alcohol Zündschlosssperren employ on a voluntary basis.

In France, all vehicle owners are since July 1, 2012 required to carry a simple device for measuring breath alcohol. According to Decree of 28 February 2013, the non- carrying of the instrument is, however, not as originally intended topped with a toll warning, so the absence of the device de facto is not punishable. In the case of an accident under the influence of alcohol but this could be interpreted adversely.

Netherlands

Since December 1, 2011 stricter conditions for motorists who have become conspicuous for drink-driving force in the Netherlands. The use of a Zündschlosssperre in the vehicle of the person concerned will initially be for a period of two years. Has been established after a further six months, no change in behavior, the license for five years may be withdrawn. The cost of installing and operating the device transmits the data subject.

Belgium

Since October 1, 2010, in Belgium a law in place that allows the judges in the context of discretionary decisions to prescribe alcohol-related offenses drivers the installation of an alcohol - Zündschlosssperre.

Sweden

Currently, Sweden is the only EU country to be used in the alcohol - Zündschlosssperren in large numbers; total were there in early 2014 around 75,000 devices installed in motor vehicles. These come not only in alcohol-related offenses drivers already ( legally permitted since 1 January 2012), but also preventive in trucks, buses, school buses and taxis to use. 2010 Volvo offered to all customers in Sweden a discount for factory-installed devices in trucks to. Then, a quarter of all serious Volvo trucks sold with installed Alcoguards. To underline the exemplary role of the state about 75% of government vehicles are equipped with immobilizers alcohol since 2012, in addition, since the end of 2012, the installation of these devices on school buses mandatory.

Finland

Since August 1, 2011 is in Finland a commitment to using the devices in school buses and vehicles for the transport of children to daycare. By 2014, a mandatory scheme for all public transport is planned. When convicted of drunk driving motorists judges have the opportunity to arrange the installation of an alcohol - Zündschlosssperre for a year ( at most up to 3 years). At the same time offender must undergo a medically supervised rehabilitation program. If the convicted person is not prepared, the license shall be suspended.

Ireland

Currently, there are no state regulations in Ireland to alcohol Zündschlosssperren. Some bus companies use the devices on a voluntary basis. The fact that the test is visible performed by the driver before all passengers will be welcomed by the passengers.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland

In Great Britain and Northern Ireland there are no state regulations on alcohol Zündschlosssperren. The largest European bus in regular service, the British National Express, the device is built into all new buses and currently equipping all 1,700 buses to. The results of the alcohol tests are online immediately transmitted to the corporate office in Birmingham, so traded in problem cases immediately and for example, a substitute driver can be used. Safety aspects are advertised by the company specifically in marketing. This company policy is also seen as a result of a spectacular bus accident in 2007, with 30 injured; the drunk driver of the company was sentenced to a prison term. In Europe, the UK (apart from Ireland and Malta) the country with the highest legal limit for driving of vehicles ( 0.8 ‰).

Japan

Currently in Japan there are no state regulations. However, some bus companies and trucking companies use the system on a voluntary basis.

Criticism

Alcohol Zündschlosssperren are - in addition to the unresolved particularly in Germany transport and constitutional problems - again the subject of critical discussion:

• Manipulations: units, so the criticism, like any technical device to be manipulated. So could a drunken driver connect an air pump to the mouthpiece of the handset and let the air flow slowly into the device. The sensitive sensor recognizes this immediately, however, because it measures, inter alia, the temperature of the air. In addition, it also covers the entered quantity of air and moisture, vibration, and - depending on the model - other parameters that make manipulation virtually impossible. In addition, the device has a high-sensitivity pressure sensor; this prevents that children ( with a lower tidal volume ) use the device. Even against manipulations of the battery (to start the vehicle), the devices offer a backup. Studies from the USA have shown that manipulations are very rare (less than 1%).

• Start by breath sample of the passenger: Theoretically, the system can be tricked by a sober passenger for the drunken driver perceives the breath sample. The contrary is held in the discussion at times that it does not correspond to general experience that a passenger, the vehicle starts to then ride with a drunk. And a drunken driver who through a friend traveling on to starting the car alone would be directed back to find any prolonged hold out a helpful person willing.

• Returns: In the Critique of not inconsiderable expense is ( 1,000 to 2,000 euros ) of - would burden all professional drivers or the company, although alcohol driver among them only a very small minority - for example, in a general provision for installation in all trucks represent. This contrasts with the economic costs for a man killed on the roads that are specified by the Federal Highway traffic with around 1 million euros. In 2011, Germany had 15,114 reported accidents involving personal injury, due to the influence of alcohol of the driver.