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The number of people who get caught driving drunk and a new state law mandating that more of them have their breath tested before their vehicle will start is making ignition interlock installation a growing business in Kansas.

Changes in the law for those convicted of first-time DUI took effect July 1, but already companies that lease and install ignition interlock devices are seeing a spike in calls and are making plans to expand.

"We've been noticing our numbers going up in Kansas even before the law changed," said Brad Fralick, director of government relations for Consumer Safety Technology, of Des Moines, Iowa. CST is one of seven companies manufacturing interlock devices that are approved for use in Kansas.

"We're looking at expanding in Kansas, and I'm guessing all our competitors are, too."

Fralick said CST, which is the third largest of 14 interlock providers worldwide, had been seeing a 15 to 20 percent increase in business during the past five years.

Since Kansas and five other states recently increased interlock requirements, the number of calls received already indicate an 80 percent increase in demand, he said.

Jeremy Gentry, operations manager for LifeSafer Interlock of Kansas, based in Hutchinson, said his company is gearing up to add several new service centers like the one they have in Salina.

Plans are to add 30 more installation sites to the 17 Kansas sites already operating, he said.

Under the new law, first-time offenders will be required to have interlock installed in their vehicles for at least six months. Subsequent offenses will result in more years of interlock requirements, culminating with 10 years for a fifth DUI. Previously, interlock installation usually wasn't required until a person had a second DUI offense.

It can change your life

In Salina, Smart Start interlock devices are being installed at Channel Ridge Automotive, 209 W. Pacific, and LifeSafer Interlock is installed at Randy's Auto Repair, 1015-B W. North.

"It can help change your life," said Linda Smith, office and accounts manager, of Smart Start of Kansas, based in Moundridge. "That's what's really important to us -- helping the client so they are not a danger to society and so they won't be hurt. It gives them an opportunity to still be a working part of the community in a safe way."

She said an increasing number of drivers who know they have an alcohol problem are having the devices voluntarily installed.

Gentry of LifeSafer said the devices do prompt a lasting lifestyle change for some.

"If you have to be able to start your car at 7 a.m., you can't get blotto the night before," he said.

Gentry said customers have been surprised to discover they can't just sleep it off that quickly.

Huge drop in recidivism

Fralick said studies show recidivism rates drop as much as 85 percent for repeat offenders who use interlock. He said drunk drivers who never have them installed are six times more likely to reoffend than offenders who have had them.

Of course, determined drinkers can find ways to cheat. However, if offenders get caught having someone else blow or driving a vehicle without interlock installed -- except a company-owned vehicle while at work -- the time they are required to have interlock will be lengthened. Also, a judge may require installation of a more expensive camera unit.

For many, the experience of driving with an interlock is eye-opening, Smith said.

"People have told us they had no idea how much alcohol was in their system after drinking, and that it would never happen again," she said. "We're seeing some really positive things from this. Fatality numbers going down is the icing on the cake. We just really see that this makes a difference."

It started with MADD

Demand for the devices first started taking off nationwide in 2006 when Mothers Against Drunk Driving began lobbying for their use, Fralick said. MADD had previously advocated simply revoking offenders' driving privileges, but several studies showed that many offenders drove anyway -- without a license or insurance, he said.

MADD's Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving included the "Blow Before You Go" initiative advocating the use of alcohol interlocks for all offenders for at least six months.

The technology to monitor drivers' alcohol consumption has improved significantly since it first hit the market 25 years ago, Fralick said. False positives triggered by spicy foods, cigarettes, acids and other substances were a frustrating problem with the first generation of interlock devices.

The type of interlocks now used in Kansas are based on fuel-cell technology, which has an alcohol-specific reaction, Fralick said.

Might have to retest

But there is still a catch. In addition to alcoholic drinks a person has consumed, the mechanism will respond to alcohol in mouthwash, breath sprays, cough syrup, gum, toothpaste and other products they may have used.

Alcohol in the mouth, as opposed to alcohol in the blood stream, dissipates quickly, and a required retest will show an immediate drop-off in levels, Fralick said. Any trained technician would be able to tell that was not a reading for alcohol in the blood stream, which cannot be metabolized nearly so fast, he said.

People who have interlock installed are advised to become "product reading consumers" who check the list of ingredients and avoid products containing alcohol, Smith said.

n Reporter Erin Mathews can be reached at 822-1415 or by email at emathews@salina.com.

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