While ignition interlock devices (IIDs) are pertinent to the health and safety of drivers on the road, preventing drunk drivers from harming themselves or others, there still lies the problem of people attempting to circumvent their IIDs to start their cars.
Despite what you may have seen on the internet, these car breathalyzers cannot be easily bypassed and the attempt in doing so can result in large monetary fines, as well as elongated license suspensions. Here are some of the ways people try to bypass their ignition interlock devices:
- Bypassing circuitry wires from the IID to the car’s wires- Although many blogs state they have found proven ways to accomplish this, it must be known that IIDs are constantly operating and will sense when someone is messing around with their wiring. In most cases, tampering with the wires of your IID will result in a lockout, where it requires a restart from the manufacturer, and this will be reported to your monitoring authority. This can lead to severe repercussions in the form of monetary fines and the extension of your IID requirement length.
- Using a “breath filtering” device to mask any signs of alcohol- There even exists some companies who profit on people trying to cheat their IIDs, offering products that they claim will cover any signs of alcohol from one’s breath. There are two distinct problems with circumventing your IID using one of these products. First, these products have been proven to fail measured against their claims. Second, many ignition interlock devices now require cameras to be installed in cars and record how one is providing their breath samples. These cameras can easily spot if someone is using one of these breath filtering devices and it will be reported to their monitoring authority as an attempt to bypass their IID.
- Having someone else blow for you- This is one of the more frequently mentioned ways of bypassing an IID found throughout the internet, despite the numerous reasons against it. As mentioned earlier, a majority of IIDs are now installed with cameras and it will be recorded and reported to their monitoring authority if they have someone else provide a breath sample to start the car. Furthermore, all ignition interlock devices feature random retests while the car is on to ensure the driver did not become intoxicated after clearing the initial test or that they did not use someone else’s breath to pass the initial test. Either way, using someone else to provide a breath sample is an easy way to get caught attempting to tamper with your IID and can further extend the length of your IID requirements.
Ignition interlock devices are meant to prevent people from drinking and driving and to keep the roads safer for everyone driving. If you think bypassing an IID is worth it, remember that following a majority of these “proven methods” found online will most likely lead to additional offenses added to your record and heftier fines you will have to pay.