Alcohol Interlock to prevent driving under the influence
Durban based PFK Electronics is proud to announce the launch of the Autowatch TAB, a tethered alcohol breathalyzer based immobiliser that prevents the drivers of Trucks, Buses, Taxis (in fact any vehicle) from driving a vehicle while over the legally allowed alcohol limit. The fitting of Alcohol breathalyzer based immobilisers is becoming a legal requirement for trucks, buses and taxis in most European countries with the Nordic countries such as Sweden taking the lead in protecting road users and the public from the carnage caused by drunken drivers.
The Alcohol Interlock Blocking system or AIB consists basically of two parts, the first being the alcohol breathalyser unit where the driver has to give a breath sample and the second unit is the actual immobiliser or vehicle blocking unit (VBS) that will prevent the vehicle from operating if the breath sample is above the legal limit. The actual blood alcohol content and event (time, date etc) is stored in the unit and can be retrieved by the fleet manager or can even be relayed (instantaneously) via GSM to a control centre. The actual alcohol limit is pre-set at the factory as the legally allowed blood alcohol level is country dependant. Up to 10 000 events can be logged and the data provides an accurate record and profile of the driver’s drinking habits and is a useful tool for driver behaviour modification. The unit can be installed by PFK’s national network of Autowatch Aftermarket fitment centres which will also conduct the required annual re-calibration.
The Autowatch TAB has been specifically developed by PFK to cater for harsh environmental conditions such as the extreme temperatures encountered in vehicles. The unit will operate from -40°C to +70°C and has been designed to meet the European CENLEC Standard for Alcolocks. The unit contains specific electronic counter measures to prevent circumvention by mechanical means (such as using compressed air or “clean” air stored in a balloon as a breath sample), this is to ensure the sample is human breath. The system can also be programmed to request random samples while the vehicle is in motion as often the drivers start off sober but consume alcohol while driving. The unit however has an emergency one event override to ensure the vehicle is not stranded in a dangerous location. However should the driver use the override this event is logged and could be communicated to the control room.
The Autowatch TAB designed specifically for the heavy duty market augments the Autowatch WAB, a wireless alcohol blocking system where the breathalyser is not tethered to the vehicle but is a portable hand held unit that the driver can carry in his pocket. The Autowatch WAB was launched 3 years ago by PFK for export markets as the first wireless AIB system in the world and has captured a major share of the Swedish bus and taxi market. This product is also exported to countries such as Holland, France, Lithuania and the UK.
