The implementation of the new Traffic Law will come into force on March 21 and the consequences it will have are many. One of them directly affects vehicles transporting people and dangerous goods: as of July 6, it will be mandatory to have an anti-start breathalyzer.
Specifically, it will not be necessary to have the device, but from day five, all newly manufactured cars must integrate a connection system for installation in accordance with the new legislation.
What is sought is that, when by law it is mandatory to carry it, the device can be incorporated in a simple way and without incurring a cost.
Now, what is an immobilizer breathalyzer and how does it work? From Däger, a company specialized in these devices, they explain what it consists of and how it operates.
“This is an Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS) that forces the driver to exhale air into a breathalyser to measure alcohol levels in the breath. If we exceed the allowed blood alcohol level or do not use the device correctly, we will not be able to start the vehicle until after a certain time has elapsed”, they point out.
In terms of operation, it barely consists of a couple of buttons and to carry out the test prior to the ‘ok’ to start, you have to breathe out for four seconds. In addition, if the car stalls or makes a momentary stop, such as to refuel, it is not necessary to carry out the process again.
Dionisio Martínez de Velasco, Managing Director of Dräger Iberia, explains: “The introduction of an Interlock self-starting device in this type of vehicle will help significantly reduce the possibility of road accidents as a result of alcohol, in line with the objectives of the United Nations and the European Union”.
And he adds that “there are more and more professional transport companies that voluntarily decide to incorporate blood alcohol measurement devices into their fleets as an act of responsibility. For example, in 2018 in Italy 53 Interlocks were installed in a fleet of buses of the public company Bus Company”.
