NTSB Seeks to Require Interlock Devices for DUI Offenders

DETROIT, MI, February 01, 2013 (Press-News.org) The National Transportation Safety Board seeks to ensure all motorists on the nation's roadways are as safe as possible. Drunk driving accidents are a major concern for the NTSB, accounting for up to one-third of all fatal accidents in the nation, according to its data. The federal organization has recently released a recommendation for states to require the use of interlock devices for DUI offenders. Michigan already requires the use for drivers who are arrested with blood-alcohol contents above twice the legal limit.

The recommendation is non-binding and is only a suggestion to state officials in the 33 states where there are not currently interlock requirements for DUI offenders. A recent study by the NTSB found alcohol-impaired driving is the leading cause of wrong-way crashes. Wrong-way accidents are commonly high-speed incidents resulting in head-on collisions, creating a high likelihood of fatalities, according to the NTSB.

How the devices work

Alcohol-ignition interlock devices require the driver to exhale into the device to test for blood-alcohol levels prior to starting the vehicle. The vehicle will not start if the analyzed blood-alcohol content is greater than the prescribed limit on the device. The imposition of these devices on drivers with a DUI-related offense could help reduce the number of drunken drivers on the road.

The Chairman of the NTSB has noted that the interlock devices have a strong record of success and can help cut down on the frequency of alcohol-related accidents. Even drivers not convicted of DUI may be affected in the long-term by the organization's push to add alcohol-sensing technology to vehicles. Proposed changes could analyze cabin air or place sensors on the steering wheel in order to determine if a driver is too drunk to properly operate a motor vehicle.

Victims of drunk driving accidents should seek assistance

Ultimately, driving responsibly is the result of the decisions each driver on the road chooses to make. The imposition of interlock devices and other monitoring technology is not a guaranteed fix for the problem of drunk driving, and it is up to each driver to make his or her own decisions regarding how and when to drive.

Drunk driving victims should seek the assistance of an experienced attorney who is familiar with the many factors present in a DUI-related case. It may be possible to pursue compensation from drunk drivers for damage to vehicles and personal injuries arising from such an accident.

At McKeen & Associates, we protect the rights of people who have suffered serious or catastrophic injuries, including brain or spinal cord trauma, burns, broken bones and amputation or loss of limb. We also take wrongful death claims.

McKeen & Associates, P.C.
645 Griswold Street
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: 313-447-0634
Toll Free: 866-585-1076
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