AlcoDigital outlines interlock advantages
Testing equipment provider AlcoDigital Ltd has highlighted the benefits of alcohol ignition interlock systems, which measure the alcohol in a driver’s breath and can prohibit the activation of the ignition if the level is too high.
“Commercial and company drivers have a responsibility to ensure that they not only meet and conform with legal requirements in the UK for safe driving, but they also have a responsibility to ensure that they are not under the influence of alcohol and drugs when in charge of a company vehicle,” said Martin Slade, sales director at AlcoDigital (pictured, right).
“The fitting of an alcohol ignition interlock will ensure that a driver who provides a breath sample that exceeds a company’s drink driving policy level is not able to start the vehicle ignition and then enter the UK road network. This makes the roads safer for drivers, company vehicles, employees, the general public and general road users.”
Countries within mainland Europe have recommended the use of interlocks for a number of years, adds Martin.
“France implemented laws which ensure that within some specific applications their use is mandatory,” he continued.
“For example, in January 2010, coaches assigned to public transport for children were equipped with alcohol interlocks. This was followed up in September 2015 with mandatory alcohol interlocks in all coaches.
“In addition to the implementation of this law it is also required that the interlock equipment must be checked every year in an approved centre. The devices can also record the data and store it for 45 days.”
Installation of an alcohol ignition interlock has never been easier, says Martin – and AlcoDigital is able to provide a suitable EN certified system to meet users’ budget and requirements
“These systems can be fitted to a wide range of vehicles including all electric, plug in hybrid, self-charging hybrid vehicles, plus traditional petrol and diesel engine vehicles,” he said.
“For construction companies, alcohol ignition interlocks can be fitted to off road and construction vehicles, and for users in the warehousing and freight markets they can be installed for use on forklift trucks and other material handling equipment.
“Global vehicle manufacturers are now embracing the advent of alcohol ignition interlocks and have embarked upon a journey to standardise their installation and use from 2024 onward.
“In 2022 it was recognised that all OEM will test and trial all EN accredited and certified products and then publish installation information so that installers can easily pair and install products to a wide range of vehicles.
“From 2024 all new vehicles will have inbuilt connectivity which will enable communication and pairing with a wide range of EN certified alcohol ignition interlock handsets, the management and display of the information from subject testing being displayed on the vehicle’s information systems.”
It is a matter of time before the use of alcohol ignition interlocks becomes the norm for a wide range of companies, organisations and even government departments and local authorities, Martin suggests.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to road, driver and public safety initiatives and these precision instruments can also provide fleet managers and company HR managers with real time information on their drivers’ habits, driving performance and vehicle efficiencies when connected to a vehicle management telematic system.
“The alcohol ignition interlock can be connected to third party management systems and accessories. These include cameras (with or without facial recognition capability) as well as fleet management software that will receive data via a vehicle’s telematic system (if fitted).
“An alcohol ignition interlock stores data from all breath tests, as well as pass and fail data. The driver’s exact alcohol in breath can be recorded, as well as how many times the instrument has been used for breath submissions (times, date etc).
“As well as being a significant contributor to future road safety, it can also provide fleet operators with valuable additional data.”
Established in 2002, AlcoDigital offers a variety of alcohol and drug testing equipment and accessories, as well as providing training on testing and implementation of testing policies and processes in the workplace.
