Can Ignition Interlocks Detect Opioids?

Have you wondered if an Ignition Interlock Device can detect more than alcohol, like opioids? If you know what an Interlock Device does, you’ll know that its sole purpose is to prevent a person who has consumed alcohol from starting and driving their vehicle. The Interlock Device measures your breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) after the user completes a test.

So the short answer is that Interlock Devices will not detect opioids in your system. It is specifically manufactured to measure your BrAC.

But let’s talk about opioids. What are they, and how are they increasing the number of impaired driving incidents and crash fatalities?

Opioids and Interlock Devices

There’s a growing prescription opiate epidemic in the U.S., and many people are experiencing opioid use disorder. Researchers say that there was a seven-fold increase in the proportion of drivers killed while under the influence of prescription opioids since 1995. They found that the prevalence of drivers with prescription opioids detected in their systems at their time of death rose from 1 percent in 1995 to a whopping 7 percent in 2015. That is a big and swift change, and American drivers are paying for it.

Not only that, but 30 percent of these drivers also had elevated BAC levels, indicating that there was poly-drug use with prescription opiates and alcohol.

Although Interlock Devices won’t detect opioids, it will surely prevent someone from driving who’s alcohol-impaired, whether they are abusing multiple drugs and alcohol or just alcohol.

Smart Start recommends taking safety precautions and measures before getting behind the wheel. If you feel drowsy, dizzy or any other feeling that could inhibit your driving from a prescription medication, do not drive! It is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher. Mixing drugs, even prescription medication, and alcohol is illegal and dangerous.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need an Interlock Device, or if you’d like to keep yourself accountable with being sober behind the wheel, give us a call at (800) 831-3299. Our Customer Care Center will walk through the process with you and schedule an installation appointment for you.

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