The Cost of Sobriety: A Comprehensive Guide to Alcohol Interlock Programs and Devices
Drink driving occurs more often than is acknowledged on Australian roads, putting the safety of drivers and pedestrians at risk unnecessarily. While 3.4 million Random Breath Tests were conducted by the state police in New South Wales over the last year, efforts to tackle drink driving extend beyond these roadside efforts. Alcohol interlock devices are crucial tools in the prevention of fatalities and crashes, and mandated alcohol interlock programs help to stop drivers from re-offending and endangering themselves and their community. The team at Guardian Interlock have offered the following comprehensive guide to help spread greater understanding of alcohol interlock programs and alcohol interlock devices, and explain the great importance of sobriety when it comes to driving.
What is An Alcohol Interlock Program?
An alcohol interlock program is a government-mandated program that is enforced upon selected drink driving offenders to ensure that they do not continue to commit the same crime. Designed for individuals that have committed a drink driving offence on more than one occasion, these programs prevent the individual from driving a vehicle that has not been fitted with an alcohol interlock device.
This ensures that their transition back into driving is conducted safely and helps them to disassociate driving from drinking, keeping themselves as well as the community safe. While these programs are specifically designed to ensure the individual does not re-offend, they also work towards ensuring the safety of all New South Wales residents and preventing fatalities and injuries from occurring at the hands of intoxicated drivers.
While we at Guardian Interlock offer our services to provide alcohol interlock devices for alcohol interlock programs, we also offer the devices for private and commercial use where desired. This allows private individuals and businesses to install alcohol interlock devices of their volition, whether as a desire to keep themselves, their families, and their staff safe or as a matter of compliance or company policy in commercial settings.
Drive safely every time
What Is An Interlock Device?
An alcohol interlock device is an electronic device that conducts a breath test on the individual seeking to operate a vehicle. These devices are directly linked to the ignition of the vehicle, and this means that a safe range of blood alcohol content must be read by the device to allow the vehicle’s ignition to be administered. Should the device detect any alcohol within the individual’s system, the vehicle will not be able to start. A number of failsafes are included to ensure the individual complies with the rules of use, with a camera attached to ensure it is indeed the driver who undertakes the breath test, and similarly, multiple breath tests must be performed throughout the journey to ensure the driver maintains their sobriety.
The Cost of An Interlock Device
An alcohol interlock device cost is dependent upon a number of factors, and as such, it’s not possible to offer one standardised, flat fee. If the device were to be purchased by a private individual or business for their own use, they would not incur the costs of enrollment in the alcohol interlock program, instead facing only purchase, installation and servicing costs. Nevertheless, the interlock device cost will vary from one state to another, with each state authority having different pricing structures.
Nevertheless, should an individual enrol in an alcohol interlock program, they should expect to face costs of between $2,200 and $2,500 annually as well as a $171 administration fee. However, this sum includes the device’s installation, monthly leasing fees, regular servicing fees, and the cost of removal following the end of the program. When these costs pale in comparison to costs associated with repeated drink driving, as financial costs, the potential of addiction, and the possibility of contributing to road fatalities are among the risks of drink driving.
Alcohol Interlock programs save lives
Choose Guardian Interlock for your Alcohol Interlock Program!
At Guardian Interlock, we recognise that you have a number of options for alcohol interlock device providers. Guardian Interlock is an Australian independent, family-owned company that has provided alcohol ignition interlock services for individuals enrolled in offender programs as well as safety-conscious individuals, private firms, and state authorities for more than two decades. This has helped prevent many intoxicated drivers from operating vehicles.
Guardian Interlock offers alcohol interlocks to both private and commercial customers who may wish to voluntarily install an alcohol interlock. These customers may be businesses seeking to enhance their road safety, or private individuals who have recongised that they may be susceptible to drink drinking.
Reflective of our commitment to offering a high standard of service to our customers, we offer flexible payment options for private interlocks. This includes the ability to purchase an alcohol interlock outright, while also offering rent to buy options and the ability to lease, ensuring our devices are accessible to all. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly Guardian team for customised quotes on both private and commercial interlock devices. Whether used for an offender program or private/commercial use, the most effective way to minimise the costs you incur is to follow your provided User Manual/Compliance Guide to avoid additional servicing costs.
Guardian understands how essential a vehicle is, whether for work purposes, family responsibilities, or other commitments. Consequently, we’re committed to helping our clients remain compliant and on the road. Hence, our customer care representatives are available to take your calls 8.30 am-5:00 pm Monday to Friday. We also have an Emergency assistance line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Guardian Interlock is among Australia’s most reputable alcohol interlock suppliers, with locations in every state in Australia. Therefore, you can be sure that your Guardian-approved service centre is qualified for interlock device installation, servicing, and removal of interlock devices, and our devices are compliant with your state’s regulations. Email admin@guardianinterlock.com.au or call 1300 881 005 today to get started with your alcohol interlock program.
