Readers of this blog have reported incidents where the ignition interlock device has led to almost deadly consequences. One incident involved a car that stalled out in the middle of an intersection on a rainy day. The driver was almost hit twice by cars coming from the cross street. He was blowing in the device, trying to get the car started, while his life and that of the passengers in the other vehicles were at risk. He had not been drinking.

Another reader reported almost crashing into a school bus while blowing into the ignition interlock device. These devices require that the driver blow into them to start the car and also blow periodically as the operator is driving the car. It is hard to believe that this is required of repeat DWI offenders when public policy has been going in the direction of not allowing drivers to do anything that is distracting. Recent laws disallow using cell phones for verbal communication, or for sending text messages while driving.

I hope that the various states that require these devices reconsider their positions and consider public safety. The only device that I believe safe and sensible is the technology being developed by Toyota that senses blood alcohol level from sweat passed from the hands to the steering wheel. Let’s hope common sense prevails.