What Ongoing Support Matters During an Interlock Program?
While installation of an ignition interlock device (IID) is relatively easy, the difficult work of an interlock program is worked between the first calibration and the removal of the last interlock device. This work can last for months and requires a person to operate a vehicle, schedule their life, and keep a record of their compliance. The greatest failure points of interlock programs are administrative failures and not drinking related problems.
Support should be provided by the providers, monitoring authority and defense counsel and be around the areas where the participant will fail.
Getting the installation appointment right the first time
Starting off behind the curve by failing to document ignition wiring and having to contact the client multiple times to get the reporting account number correct and the monitoring authority’s name will create problems that will surface in weeks to come.
Your clients come in to their calibration appointments many times without all of the required paperwork having been completed. Use a pre-appointment checklist to minimize rework.
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Proof of vehicle ownership or a signed owner consent form if the participant is not the registered owner
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The restriction notice or court order specifying device requirements and program duration
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Current insurance documentation, since some jurisdictions tie reinstatement to SR-22 filing
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Confirmation of which agency receives the monitoring reports
Training that survives the drive home
Explain what a test fail sounds like, the process of getting unlocked from a lockout and what to do if the test fails for some other reason than drunk driving (i.e. Mouthwash, lozenge, mixed foods, etc.). You can write this all out but none of it is as powerful as actually demonstrating each of these. Help the client get a series of tests passed in the easiest manner first (3 initial/rolling tests followed by 2 rolling tests) and then mimic out on the road as you’d drive to work/school etc., a traffic light or two and show what to do in case of a fail.
Service schedules and why intervals get missed
The amount of time between calibrations is often jurisdiction or device specific. All interlock devices store information locally on the device. Services download this information at the time of service. This information can create problems if the service appointments are not kept. In some programs, even in the absence of failed tests for alcohol, a missed service appointment will create a non-compliance event.
| Service event | Typical timing | Primary purpose | Consequence of missing it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial calibration check | Within 30 days of install | Verify sensor accuracy and participant usage pattern | Early lockout, report of nonservice |
| Routine calibration | Every 30 to 67 days | Data download, sensor recalibration, tamper inspection | Permanent lockout, extended program term |
| Unscheduled service call | As needed | Address lockouts, power issues, false readings | Vehicle immobilization, missed work |
| Removal appointment | End of restriction period | Device removal, final report, wiring restoration | Continued monitoring obligations and fees |
Building a reminder system that works
Automated text reminders sent out 7 days, 2 days and 1 day prior to the appointment time work best to remind participants of their upcoming appointment. Because of varying work and school schedules, participants on rotating shifts need evening and/or weekend appointment times. For drivers juggling irregular hours, it is worth choosing from the Rancho Cucamonga ignition interlock services that operate extended hour service centers.
Supporting compliance between appointments
Most violations are not caused by the alcoholic consuming alcohol prior to driving. Mouthwash, certain prescription medications, fermented food, etc. All cause readings similar to those caused by drinking alcohol. Simply rinsing the mouth with water and waiting 15 minutes will cause the reading to return to 0.0 prior to testing.
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Document the circumstances immediately, including time, location, and anything consumed in the prior half hour
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Retest after the waiting period rather than abandoning the vehicle
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Report the event to the provider at or before the next scheduled service
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Request the data log if the participant intends to contest the reading with the monitoring authority
Managing the vehicle itself
Also remember that an interlock device continuously draws power whether the vehicle is being operated or not. A weak battery, a bad connection at the battery terminals, or long periods of non-use could cause a start-up failure to be reported as tampering. Informing the participant to have the battery tested and to start and drive for several miles on occasion will alert the program to any such problems before they become a reporting problem.
Coordinating with monitoring authorities
Be very familiar with the current program requirements, violation definitions, lockout thresholds and the requirements for program extensions for the various states and even counties within a state. Check with the applicable licensing agency as well as the terms of the court order, and advise your clients accordingly.
Providing quality support to participants as well as timely and correct responses to all inquiries from monitoring authorities helps shorten the time frame of disputed events and solve them in the best possible way for the participant.
