Of those 1,149 fatalities, 200 (17%) occurred in alcohol-impaired driving crashes (NCSA). Out of those 200 deaths, 121 (61%) were occupants of vehicles with drivers who had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher and another 29 children (15%) were pedestrians or cyclist struck by drivers with a blood alcohol concentrate of 0.08 or higher (NCSA). These statistics clearly demonstrate the utility of mandatory Ignition Interlock systems on all vehicles sold in the United States. This device is a breath alcohol monitoring system that works with the vehicle’s ignition system. It tests for the presence of alcohol by forcing the driver to blow into the device for a blood alcohol measurement prior to starting the vehicle. If is below the state blood alcohol concentration, the vehicle will start; if it is over, the vehicle will not start. In many states it is mandatory to have this device installed after a Driving Under the Influence conviction. However, standardizing these devices on all motor vehicles will prevent a driver from even starting the car while intoxicated. Thus, such a bold move could protect the safety of the …show more content…
Mothers lose children, children lose parents. Laws are in place to prevent such tragedies, but let us be honest; those laws are frequently broken. According to National statistics, an average of 12,000 people die every year in Driving Under the Influence accidents (quitalcohol.com). Many cases are repeat offenders. The law did not prevent these lives from being taken. With proper education and preventative devices like the Ignition Interlock, the number of drunken driving fatalities can be significantly reduced or erased. Many lives could be saved, families preserved, and, overall, a vast reduction in money spent on all the related issues with this crime by simply preventing the event before it