Maryland has the sixth highest number of ignition interlocks installed and the ninth highest usage rate in the nation. In the past five years, impaired drivers have accounted for almost one third of all roadway deaths in Maryland. Each year in Maryland, there is an average of 7,884 impaired driving crashes across the state, resulting in 171 fatalities and over 4,026 injuries.
Maryland’s Ignition Interlock program is a tool that helps keep drunk drivers off of Maryland roads and it allows drivers to continue driving, but to ensure that they are sober.
Having an ignition interlock device installed on a vehicle means that the device connects to a motor vehicle’s ignition system to a breath analyzer that measures a driver’s alcohol concentration. The ignition interlock device prevents the vehicle from starting if the driver’s alcohol concentration exceeds the calibrated setting on the device. In addition, the device records certain information about its use that is reviewed by the Service Provider every thirty days. The device measures the driver’s breath alcohol content (BAC) and if the BAC is greater than .025%, it will not allow the vehicle to start.
