'Interlock' helps prevent drink driving at work

The Interlock is a device fitted as an integral part of a vehicle ignition system, and is designed to stop any fleet vehicle being started if the driver is monitored as over the alcohol limit

Aimed at logistics organisations and fleet managers who already use hand-held breathtesting devices to minimise the risk of drink driving at work, Grendonstar is now able to supply the Interlock, a breath alcohol measuring instrument complete with vehicle immobiliser.

Designed to ensure that fleet and company drivers are not under the influence of alcohol when they drive, it not only brings peace of mind but, in some cases, can also lead to reduced insurance costs.

Easily and quickly fitted by the Grendonstar nationwide network of approved technicians, Interlock is designed to prevent the starting of a vehicle when alcohol is detected in the driver's breath.

Manufactured by one of the world's leading suppliers of breath testing technology, this highly accurate unit is also simple to use and meets the requirements of all relevant International Standards.

The driver simply breathes into the unit before trying to start the vehicle.

Featuring an electrochemical sensor to determine the breath alcohol concentration, the device analyses the breath sample and, if it is within the preset parameters, allows the engine to start.

In addition, and to ensure that the driver remains under the legal limit during longer journeys, the unit can be set to request repeat breath samples at random intervals.

The benefits of such Interlock technology is well proven in America, Australia and Sweden: UK courts already have the powers to specify that Interlock is fitted in any vehicle used by drink driving offenders.

Incorporating a data log that records the date, time, submission of, or refusal to submit, a breath sample, Interlock also records the measured alcohol concentration and the number of engine starts and stops.

Resistant to tampering, any attempts to bypass the system, either electrically or by other means, are also recorded.

The recorded software can, if requested, be downloaded by an authorised technician and compiled into a data record.

Useful for employers and drivers alike, this record can, if used within a drink driving offender programme for example, be sent to the driver vehicle licensing authority or other supervisory body to confirm conformance.

FOOTNOTE 1 What is Interlock?.

Supplied by Grendonstar, the Interlock system is an innovative product designed to stop any vehicle being started if the driver is over the alcohol limit.

Primarily aimed at logistics organisations and fleet managers who already use hand-held breath testing devices, it is fitted as an integral part of the ignition system and, as such, cannot be mislaid or bypassed.

Obvious benefits are that it offers far more safety than testing for alcohol after an incident or event.

In addition, it requires no personnel other than the driver and is fully operation, "on-guard", 24 hours a day.

An integral data log records the date, time, submission of, or refusal to submit, a breath sample.

Every sample is recorded and, as an added benefit, a pattern of "only just passed" can easily be spotted.

FOOTNOTE 2 Legal Position.

The benefits of Interlock technology is well proven in America.

It is widely used by the judicial system as well as by industry.

The American model allows a drink drive offender to regain their licence earlier provided that an Interlock is fitted to his or her vehicle.

The vehicle must be presented at a designated centre each month to check the last 30 days of history.

In fact, British Courts already have the powers to specify that an Interlock is fitted in any vehicle used by drink driving offenders.

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