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Ignition Interlock Device Smart Technology identifies the user.

Smart Start, Inc. as one of the leading manufacturers in the Ignition Interlock industry, exclusively dedicated to the installation, servicing and manufacturing of ignition interlock, on January 19, 2006 announced that they have the exclusive rights to a patent which ties photographs to an ignition interlock device. Smart Start, Inc. began development of the actual product in June of 2005 and will be releasing the photo ID module alongside its NEW, SSI 20/20 Interlock device, in the spring of 2006. (US Patent # 6,956,484 B2)

The photo ID unit is a small, approximately 1 cubic inch box which mounts to the inside of the driver’s side windshield, about half way up from the dash. The device is electronically connected to our SSI 20/20 interlock device and captures the picture of the breath test subject at the time that the subject is taking the test. The unit will store the picture electronically and it will be date and time stamped in combination with the interlock units’ logger. The particular camera chosen works well in very dark situations as well as bright sunlight in convertibles.

By using the photo id module, Smart Start will be able to positively identify the user of the device and minimize tampering now that a picture is being recorded.

The device will have several tamper detection features to prevent the user from covering the camera with tape or disconnecting it. When tampering is detected, the unit will send a message to the interlock aborting the test thus preventing the user from starting the vehicle.

According to the MADD/Nationwide Insurance Survey conducted by Gallup, Nine out of 10 Americans (94 percent) believe that drinking under the influence of alcohol is a major highway safety problem. Additionally, 60 percent of those surveyed who said they drink alcoholic beverages on occasion said they have operated a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, or close to being under the influence of alcohol, at some point in their lives. Of the top 10 factors to discourage drunk driving, 81 % thought ignition interlock would help in discouraging drunk driving. Of the top 10 methods to reduce drunk driving 91% thought requiring repeat offenders and high BAC offenders to install an ignition interlock in their car was a valid deterrent.

“Drunk Driving is preventable; we have a commitment to assist in the prevention of the needless incidences of drunk driving. Ignition interlocks have been shown to be effective with results ranging from 50 to 90 percent reductions in subsequent drunk driving offenses while the interlock is on the car”, said Lamar Ball, CEO of Smart Start. “Photo ID is a major step forward for ignition interlock technology. It will answer the question of “how do I know that the test results belong to a particular user?” Smart Start is committed to making our roadways safe and developing life saving technology to prevent drunk driving,” added Ball.

Smart Start®, founded in 1992, is a leading manufacturer of Ignition Interlock devices, exclusively dedicated to the installation, servicing and manufacturing. Smart Start has locations throughout the U.S.; they are headquartered in Irving, Texas.

Help for Alzheimer’s Caregivers - Driving Advice

Audio File:  Help for Alzheimer’s Caregivers

People suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other causes of dementia are driving an average of ten months longer than their caregivers think is safe. Brian Osuch has more with help for caregivers.

Newsbreak, I’m Brian Osuch. New research by The Hartford Financial Service Group in conjunction with the MIT Age Lab and Boston University helped to develop “At the Crossroads,” a new booklet designed to help Alzheimer caregivers make the difficult decision on when their loved one should stop driving. Jodi Olshevski is a corporate gerontologist with The Hartford.

Quick Auto Insurance quotes for elder drivers.

(Olshevski) The booklet includes all kinds of helpful information in terms of the issues of dementia and driving, warning signs for them to look for. We also have a conversation planner, how can the caregiver have a good conversation about not driving.  Lisa D’Ambrosio, a research scientist at MIT, says the goal is to help caregivers gradually move the person from driver to passenger.

(D’Ambrosio) What we encourage caregivers to do, is actually get in the car and observe driving of their loved one to keep track of these warning signs and look for patterns or changes in patterns that signal the driving has become a problem. To order or download your free copy, visit Thehartford.com/alzheimers. That’s Newsbreak from The Hartford, I’m Brian Osuch.

Motorists Forced To Let Officers

Draw Blood Samples At DUI Stops

There have been an increasing number of police departments allowing their officers to draw blood samples from motorists under suspicion of a DUI/DWI. This takes place on the roadside as opposed to a hospital where there are trained medical professionals. It seems like a recipe for disaster to allow officers to do blood draws when they do not have adequate medical training.

According to Scripps News, a man developed a persistent infection at the site of a blood draw administered by a Pima County sheriff’s deputy. He has filed what is believed to be the first claim in Arizona against the practice, which could put local taxpayers on the hook for any damages.

Arizona law requires that drunken driving suspects submit to a test or lose their license for a year and it’s the officer’s choice, not the driver’s, whether to use a breath or a blood test.

More at the link above.

DUI Auto Insurance Information

Lawmakers in Virginia and Maryland plan legislation authorizing speed cameras in highway work zones that would generate $500 and $2000 tickets.

Officials in both Maryland and Virginia are planning to introduce legislation allowing cameras in so-called highway work zones that would issue automated tickets worth $500 in Virginia and $2000 in Maryland. Lawmakers are following the lead of Illinois which last year introduced $1000 freeway speed camera tickets that have generated significant revenue. Oregon will begin its own work zone photo ticketing program next year, and states like Colorado are exploring an expansion of existing speed camera programs to include freeway work zones.

More here:  http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/20/2028.asp

School’s in Session and the First Lesson is Tire Safety

(ARA) Just under the grumblings of students can be heard the quiet elation of parents . . . school is back. This means the usual checklist: notebooks and pencils bought, backpack filled, lunchbox cleaned and tire pressure checked.Tires? Odds are they never crossed your mind, let alone made your to-do list. In fact, 85 percent of Americans don’t check their tires regularly, according to the 2007 motorist survey by Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). But with school in session, soccer moms, college kids and everyone else driving to or dropping someone off at a campus might want to reconsider their “rubbery friends.”“Tires are one of the most important safety features on your car,” says Fred Koplin of Yokohama Tire Corporation, manufacturer of everything from ultra-high performance tires for passenger cars and SUVs to tires for buses, trucks and airplanes. “These engineering marvels are the only thing touching the road, affecting everything from braking distance and accident avoidance to ride comfort and fuel efficiency.”