Convicted Driver
Alcohol Ignition Locks called for
Wed, 07 Dec 2005
A leading insurance company has given its support to the proposed introduction of Alcohol Ignition Locks (AILs) for convicted drink drivers.
The government's measures to make the fitting of AILs compulsory in convicted drivers' vehicles for a minimum of six months were outlined in the Road Safety Bill.
Currently being trialed in Bristol and Birmingham, the AIL system involves a breath-testing device being fitted to the ignition of a driver's vehicle. If the motorist has consumed alcohol, the breathalyser picks up on the fact and prevents the ignition from being turned on.
If the proposals are approved, courts will have powers to order that convicted drink drivers use an AIL as part of their on-going disqualification process.
Convicted drivers using the system are likely to benefit in financial terms by cutting car insurance costs as well as avoiding having their license revoked. Specialist convicted driver insurance is also available for those found guilty of drink driving offences.
According to research, one fifth of all motorists convicted of drink driving are re-offenders.
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