alcohol ignition interlock devices

[Mojocvh]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18270234

Hmm too good to be true or infringement of rights??

[DocJock]

I'm sure nobody determined to drink/drive could possibly think of a way to move some air through one of these devices without breathing into it...

[AnimalMkIV]

Yep, I can just imagine all the poor bds getting arrested and questioned about just why they happened to have a balloon in their car.

[The Black Flash]

Well that's easy then - just ban balloons.

[Caulkhead]

Prof. Nutt.

[superkartracer]

DocJock said:

I'm sure nobody determined to drink/drive could possibly think of a way to move some air through one of these devices without breathing into it...

Simple humidity or temperature sensor could bypass balloons or whatever.

Great idea for once.

TBH it's only a matter of time before cars drive themselves anyway.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17989553

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdgQpa1pUUE

Edited by superkartracer on Thursday 31st May 12:21

[jains15]

It's not a workable idea. As with all such things, people need to be encouraged enough by the carrot for the stick not to be needed.

[Murph7355]

jains15 said:

It's not a workable idea. As with all such things, people need to be encouraged enough by the carrot for the stick not to be needed.

And the carrot for not drink driving is...?

[Superhoop]

Too many problems for this to ever work

1, To cheat the system, get someone who isn'y hammered to blow into the device

2, If all cars had to have them, Police would no longer stop suspected drink drivers, as driving shouldn't be possible without blowing a clear breath sample.

3, Hygenic drivers would be scuppered most mornings, as mouth wash can trigger a high reading

[King Herald]

An American guy I worked with got busted for DUI (driving under influence) a few years ago and he had to have one of these blow things in his car. It was a royal pain in the arse, as it is nowhere near as simple as you think it is.

I can't remember the details, but you couldn't just hook up a balloon to bypass it, and often it failed him, totally sober. It would then shut the car down for a certain period.

You'd think he'd raped a class of pre-teens, the punishment he got for the DUI, massive fine, massive insurance hike, curfew at nights, all sorts of st.

And we think the UK is heavy in DD.

[V88Dicky]

Depends where in the US you are. In some states, it's classed as a mis-demeanor, like littering or jumping a stop sign.

[blugnu]

King Herald said:

An American guy I worked with got busted for DUI (driving under influence) ...You'd think he'd raped a class of pre-teens, the punishment he got for the DUI, massive fine, massive insurance hike, curfew at nights, all sorts of st.

Ridiculous - all he did was drive a few tons of metal about at high speed whilst legally incapable of doing so safely, and I bet there was literally no way he could have simply drunk less or travelled in a different manner. I mean it's not like he could have killed anyone or anything.

Oh no, hang on ...

[King Herald]

blugnu said:

Ridiculous - all he did was drive a few tons of metal about at high speed whilst legally incapable of doing so safely...

Er, no, he had four beers and drive home a mile from the bar. Cops stopped him for no taillights.

But I do realize this is PH, so you are excused.

[DSM2]

Why should the massive majority who would never DD be inconvenienced for the few who are too thick to understand why it is a no no?

Double / triple the penalties if you like, suits me but this is patently the idea of an oddly out of touch mind.

[blugnu]

King Herald said:

blugnu said:

Ridiculous - all he did was drive a few tons of metal about at high speed whilst legally incapable of doing so safely...

Er, no, he had four beers and drive home a mile from the bar. Cops stopped him for no taillights.

But I do realize this is PH, so you are excused.

So he had four beers - which would make me totally unsafe in a car, and evidently is an illegal amount where he was - and was only a mile away from home - a fifteen minute walk at most. I'm guessing he drove faster than a human can run, hence it was relatively high speed too.

The though process that runs "well I could walk for 15 minutes, or I could break the law and endanger life. Now where did I put those keys?" is one I'm surprised anyone would defend.

[robm3]

We have this option in Australia for people who blow 'low range'

They go to court and if the reason is valid enough eg need car for work. Then the device is fitted at owners cost for a specific duration.
Some points though:
The device reconises only the owner (it's quite sophisticated)
The car can then only be started by the owner.

Seems to be a popular course of last resort here used by tradesmen, salesmen etc...

[catso]

DSM2 said:

Why should the massive majority who would never DD be inconvenienced for the few who are too thick to understand why it is a no no?

Double / triple the penalties if you like, suits me but this is patently the idea of an oddly out of touch mind.

Agreed, but sadly it's the way many laws seem to be made in today's lowest common denominator politics...