How Safe Are Interlock Devices? Driver distracted by drunken driving device kills teen

How safe are interlock testing devices? While these devices prevent drunks from driving with alcohol on their breath, the vehicular safety of these devices poses a very valid question. These gizmos go off without notice, demanding that the driver divert attention to blowing into the device. Talking on your cell phone while driving is dangerous. Checking your email while driving is dangerous. I have frequently witnessed police officers driving horribly while checking the on-board computer. These distractions can cause accidents.

In this case, a breath interlock testing device that was designed to make the roads safer might have been the cause of an accident that killed a teen because it distracted and divided the motorist's attention. 

Until we have self-driving cars, this will continue to be a problem. 

 

The device disables a vehicle if the user attempts to drive drunk. Cowan, 31, was arrested in September 2015 and March 2016 on driving while intoxicated charges, according to county records. He changed his version of events in a subsequent interview with police when he said had been alerted by the ...