(WLNS) – Imagine getting into your car, but being unable to start it only until after measuring your Blood Alcohol Content.
That’s exactly what some drivers from Eaton County’s D-W-I court must do, as apart of their probation.
A study released Thursday looked into drunk driving cases in Michigan from 2011-2014.
The numbers show that repeat offenders were cut in half when on probation with the Ignition Interlock System.
An Ignition Interlocks System is a device that doesn’t allow a driver to start their car, until they have completed an alcohol content level measurement.
“Its been a big success when you have a problem. You need, like a tool box, to fix the problem. And if you, you didn’t get that tool box, even if you had the desire to quit or stop drinking you could fall back into the same patterns,” said Jeff Shelton, future graduate of Eaton County’s sobriety court.
More than 97 percent of drivers ordered by the sobriety court to put the interlock system on their car, comply, and pass their probation.
“There is about an 84 percent success rate,” Eaton county prosecutor Doug Lloyd said. In addition, “It gives the individual the opportunity to get sober and stay sober.”, Lloyd said.
But if a participant does blow an alcohol level that is above the legal limit, probation officers, and court officials are notified.
Last year there were 9,396 alcohol related car accidents and 236 alcohol related deaths.
Programs like this one hope to change that number.
