With the success rate of car breathalyzers in reducing the number of repeat drunk driving offenses, one of the more common thoughts we hear is that a car breathalyzer or ignition interlock device should be standard equipment on all vehicles. Since car breathalyzers stop a person from operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, many feel that the devices are vital for the safety of the driver, passengers and anyone else on the road. However, much like the days when seat belt seat use was voluntary, there are also those who see mandatory car breathalyzers as just another right being stripped from citizens. In short, if all cars are equipped with car breathalyzers, then the “right” to drive while intoxicated is being tread upon.
What?
It can be said that if a person is not wearing a seat belt, then they are taking their safety into their own hands. In many cases, a person who isn’t wearing a seat belt may not pose a danger to others in the car or driving on the road. A car breathalyzer is much different than a seat belt, however. When a person chooses to drink and then drive, there are lives at risk from the moment the car starts until the ignition is turned off, so, a car breathalyzer is a device that protects everyone from a drunk driver.
Car breathalyzers and ignition interlock devices may be inconvenient, but, they continue to save lives each day. Most of the time, these devices are only installed after a person has been convicted of driving drunk, but statistics show that any convicted drunk driver has driven while intoxicated about 80 other times. If a car breathalyzer was a standard device on any vehicle, the number of accidents, injuries and deaths caused by drunk driving would decline while upholding the rights of everyone to arrive home safely.
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