Oklahoma Ignition Interlock Device

Question: What is an ignition interlock device? How does the device work? When is it part of a DUI sentence in Oklahoma?

Answer: An ignition interlock is what we lovingly refer to as the “blow and go.” It’s a machine that is put on the car that keeps it from operating until the person has blown into it with a sample that does not include over a .02 alcohol. It can be adjusted at various levels, but that’s the most common form because a .02, anything beyond that can’t really be measured accurately. People have to be very careful that such as even mouthwash or many other items of that nature can give false readings on the machine. This is fuel cell technology; it is very different from the testing that is used through the infrared technology of the actual breathalyzer.

It is not as reliable, it is subject to many fail-safes, but it is what is used and is used commonly throughout the United States. It gives you an initial blow and, with the machines that we’re using, it requires a special type of humming noise that the person has to make for a period of, an extended period. Once the device registers, it will register it, read it, then it allows the car to start. After driving and at periodic intervals, the machine will again alert and it has to be activated again to show that the person actually driving is continuing to be not under the influence of any type of alcohol.