Ignition interlock devices could keep more drunk drivers off the - KOTA Territory News

Ignition interlock devices could keep more drunk drivers off the road

They passed the six month test in the cold conditions of Lincoln county, and finally, Ignition Locking Devices will be part of South Dakota's 24/7 program.

It's a move that many predict, will keep more offenders off the road.

Pennington County Sheriff's Deputy Brian Freeouf hasn't noticed much of a change in dui arrests in the last seven years.

"I think this is a good idea to look into more options and find ways to deter it and keep people off the road," said Deputy Freeouf.

And while an apparent stand still is better than a noticeable increase, the introduction of Ignition Locking Devices could keep some drunk drivers off the road.

"We don't want to replace any of our existing components of the 24/7 program. But we want to make this additional device available," said Marty Jackley, South Dakota Attorney General.

Attorney General Marty Jackley says the device will be another tool used in the Sobriety Program, which allows alcohol offenders to stay out of jail as long as they remain sober.

"I think that it's a good option simply because of the fact that we do have a lot of rural participants and it can become burdensome for them to drive into Rapid City every day," said Tessia Johnston, 24/7 Program Manager.

According to Johnston, the device will be installed, by the request of a judge, into the car of a convicted drunk driver.

The driver has to blow on the device to measure blood alcohol content,  it works just like the breathalyzers used at 24/7.

The user has to blow clean before the car will start.

To prevent cheating, the device is equipped with a small camera.

"It can request for you to produce a sample intermitted as you're driving. To make sure you're still the person driving, that you're not drinking and driving behind the wheel obviously, and so that you're still providing clean samples," said Johnston.

"We had one individual that did try and get around it and violate it and the system caught him. So I think that shows that the system works," said Jackley.

For Freeouf, the device's success simply means safer roads and possibly saving lives.

"I think it will affect our job by keeping more impaired drivers off the road due to the fact that it will stop them before they get the car moving," said Deputy Freeouf.

The cost of the device is about five dollars a day charged directly to the offender.

Jackley says this program takes the burden off taxpayers by keeping qualifying offenders out of jail.

It costs the county 80 dollars a day per inmate.

Jackley anticipates the ignition interlock device will be available statewide by this fall.