New state law uses technology to keep tabs on drunk drivers

MAT-SU — The New Year brings a new law to Alaska that requires convicted drunken drivers to install breath-monitoring devices in their vehicles.

The devices, commonly known as ignition interlocks, prohibit a car’s motor from starting until drivers blow into the device to prove they’re sober. Alaska is one of a handful of states — along with Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska and Washington — to implement the law Jan. 1.

Locally, the law is being met with mixed reactions.

Anti-drunken driving advocacy groups, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, say installing devices like interlocks could save thousands of lives. Critics, however, say the law goes too far.

Sarah Longwell, managing director of the American Beverage Institute, told the Associated Press that the new law doesn’t distinguish between repeat offenders and those who had a few drinks and went over the .08 limit.

Locally, JC Collvins, owner of Smart Start of the Valley, a Wasilla company that leases the interlock devices, said having one in a vehicle is not cheap. Collvins charges $100 to install the device and $125 per month for the length of the court’s sentence.

Convicted offenders have to blow less than .02 blood alcohol content for the device to allow a vehicle to start, then drivers have to blow again after five to six minutes to keep the engine running. After that, the driver must blow again every 40 to 45 minutes, Collvins said.

The idea behind checking in with the device after the car has started is so drivers don’t start their cars then begin drinking while it runs, Collvins said. Also, it’s done so drivers can’t drink while they drive and continue down the road.

Collvins said he supports the new law, not because he leases the devices, but for his and other people’s safety on the road. When asked how many devices he leases to Valley residents convicted of drunken driving, Collvins didn’t have an exact number, but said it’s “a lot.”

Seeing the number of people he leases to and the costs they incur — while thinking of the cost of health and safety drunken driving can cause — has shaped Collvins’ own perception on drinking.