Chances are if you were convicted of DUI/DWI, or you refused the breath test, you are now required to get an ignition interlock device (IID) installed in your vehicle. This whole process has been difficult. It’s affected your personal life, your family life, possibly your employment, and your finances in a big way. Now that you’re allowed to start a restricted driving program, you’re wondering, what is the easiest interlock device to use?
We’re biased, but we think ALCOLOCK™ ignition interlock devices are the easiest to use. We’ve been in the industry for more than 40 years — we pioneered interlock devices. In addition to ensuring that our devices meet or exceed the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) model specifications for ignition interlock devices, we strive to make the devices as easy to use as possible.
Using an ALCOLOCK Interlock Device
All 50 states and Washington DC have ignition interlock laws, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL). The majority of them now require even first-time offenders to get an IID installed as a condition of eventually getting full driving privileges back. States are more concerned that the devices are accurate and lock you out as appropriate, rather than how easy they are to use.
But we care. That’s why all of our devices are simple and easy to use. When you get your device installed, your technician will do a practice run with you. The technician will instruct you on how to provide a proper breath sample and show you what all of the lights and messages mean.
You already know that you are required to give a breath sample before trying to start your car. You are also required to submit random breath samples in rolling retests. When we design an ignition interlock device, we want to make it the easiest interlock device to use.
Ease of Use Features
Each IID we make includes the same ease of use features. Those are:
Specificity to Alcohol Only
The device will detect alcohol only. It will not register a false positive for ketones or hydrocarbons such as cigarette smoke. That being said, the instrument may record a failed test even if you haven’t been drinking. For example, there are products you eat and use that contain alcohol. We recommend waiting 10 minutes after you have eaten and swishing your mouth out with water before submitting a breath sample.
Products containing alcohol that can affect the test include:
- Hand sanitizer with alcohol
- Disinfecting wipes with alcohol
- Some energy drinks
- Cough medicines
- Breath sprays
- And more
Be sure your hands don’t have any residual alcohol on them, and you wait the 10 minutes after eating to get the best results.
Tri-Color LED (Pass, Warn, Fail)
Green, yellow, and red. Just like traffic lights. A green light means you passed. A yellow light is a warning that the device detected alcohol, but not at a high enough level to lock you out — red means you failed the test (had a .02 level or higher, in most cases). If you fail the test, the device will prevent you from starting the car. If you fail a rolling retest, the device may cause your horn to begin honking and your lights to start flashing.
Graphic LCD Screen
The devices also have a graphic LCD screen that walks you through the entire process. When you first connect the device when you want to start your car, it will give you a Wait message as it warms up. Once it is ready, it will tell you to blow into the device. After it analyzes the breath sample, it will display Pass, Warn, or Fail, and tell you what to do next.
The device will also display when it is time to see your service provider. It may also show error codes on occasion. Your User’s Manual will go through those in more detail. If you ever have a message you don’t understand, you can call ALCOLOCK™ at (866) 700-9300 for assistance.
Accuracy of ± 0.02 @ 0.20 mg/L
We won’t go into the mathematics of what those accuracy numbers mean. But trust us, all of our interlock devices are highly accurate — no need to worry about a false positive, and no use trying to trick the device.
At ALCOLOCK™, our goal is to help you get back on the road and help you complete your restricted driving program as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Schedule an Ignition Interlock Device Installation
ALCOLOCK provides quick and easy ignition interlock device installation at service locations across the country. Just call the service center most convenient for you to schedule your installation appointment. You can also call ALCOLOCK™ directly at (866) 700-9300, and we will help you get scheduled.
Unless you are installing the IID voluntarily, you should plan on having someone drive you and your vehicle to your appointment. Once the technician installs the interlock device and trains you to use it, you will schedule your first service visit. You are then free to drive according to the rules laid out in your restricted driving program.
Your service visits are state-mandated and will last about 20 minutes. Depending on your state, you will need to come in for regular appointments every 30-60 days. Your restricted driving program documents will detail all of that, and your technician can answer most of your questions as well.
We will work with you to make your ALCOLOCK™ IID the easiest interlock device to use.