Parents Drunk Driving – Will It Affect the Kids?

Picture it: You’re sitting in a restaurant one Friday evening with your children. You’ve had a few drinks, but it’s getting late and you need to get them home. Your car is parked out front, but you’re not sure if you’re sober enough to drive.

What do you do? Will you take your keys and get behind the wheel, even if you’re not sure how much you had to drink?

Alcoholism, Drunk Driving and Your Family’s Safety

For some people, drinking without any control is a way of life, and it is a mental disease called alcoholism. Even a parent suffering from alcohol addiction could still resort to driving with their children in the car after consuming too many drinks.

When a parent drives drunk with their children in the car, they are putting everyone’s lives in danger. On top of that, there are serious consequences alongside a DUI conviction for someone driving impaired behind the wheel with minors. Depending on the state you live in, you could also be charged with child endangerment or negligence.

How Do I Keep Myself and My Children Safe?

It’s impossible for someone to determine their alcohol content by themselves. So, how can you stay accountable and keep yourself and your children safe on the road?

There are many resources in the alcohol recovery community with local groups, communities and organizations nationwide that help with sobriety. But, one tool that specifically helps with impaired driving are Ignition Interlock Devices.

Voluntary Ignition Interlock Devices

An Ignition Interlock Device can ensure you remain sober when you’re getting behind the wheel.

Ignition Interlocks require someone to blow into the mouthpiece before they start their car. The device’s screen will then read your breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) level and display PASS, WARN or FAIL. If your results are above the device’s set limit, your vehicle will not start.

Smart Start offers voluntary Ignition Interlock Devices, which means you can install one in your car as an option. The tests are blow-only, one of the easiest testing patterns, with low fixed costs per month. Plus, you can remove your device at any time. You are on no long-term contract and there are no hidden fees.

Making the decision to install an Ignition Interlock Device is an effective way to not drink and drive. You will keep yourself, your children and other drivers on the road safe.

Need More Information About Installing a Smart Start Ignition Interlock Device?

We’d be happy to assist you and discuss our device, any pricing options and our program. Call Smart Start’s Customer Care Center at (800) 831-3299 or fill out our short online form.