Ignition Interlock Device at The Bar

So we stop by a favorite local bar for their Wednesday happy hour and Wings special (Actually we were not drinking, we just wanted the cheep wings). Getting out of the car I can’t help but to glance into the window of the car we are parked next to… guess what I see sitting on the seat.

Yep an Ignition Interlock Device. If you are not familiar with ignition interlocks they are breathalyzers installed and connected to a car.

Here in Wisconsin they are court ordered to be installed on the cars of DUI repeat offenders. Judges can also order them installed on cars for first offense drunken driving, but I rarely see a first offender get one, unless they have a very high blood alcohol content (BAC).

The device requires that the driver blow into ignition interlock before the car can be put into gear. Then as they drive the device at random will ask for the driver to blow into the device.

Again just a reminder, here in Wisconsin only repeat offenders get these installed on their cars.

This bar is a good sized popular bar in the area. It has a sizable “L” shaped parking lot that wraps around the building. Employees all park over to the side of the building, close to the delivery door near the rear. We are parked right by the front door, this car is also parked right by the front door.

I was out with a group of police buddies, so we got there early. Wanted to have our fill of wings and get going before the place gets crowded with the real happy hour crowd. Counting our car there was a total of 4 cars in the customer area of the parking lot.

Inside the bar, there was only about 5 people (not counting the employees). Everyone I saw had a bottle of beer or a glass of beer. Yes the ignition interlock will allow a driver to drive with a .02 BAC, so it is possible that a person could have just one or two beers and still drive home.

Maybe I am over thinking this… but keep in mind someone is not likely to have an ignition interlock unless they have multiple DUI arrests.

Is going to a bar to drink a smart idea if you already have multiple DUI arrests?

Even if this person is responsible now, what will they be like in a year or two when that device is removed, will they go back to driving drunk?

Am I the only one bothered by this?