The alcohol lock is officially operational. Since yesterday, February 24, the device that prevents the car from starting if the driver has consumed alcohol It thus enters the application phase after months of waiting. On the Motorist Portal, the following have been published: The first authorized models and the list of authorized installers have been published.
The measure, provided for by the new Highway Code, tip to target recidivism in drunk drivingBut between high costs, an old fleet of cars and a limited number of authorised workshops, the start is not without critical issues.
Alcolock: Who is required to install it (and for how long)
The alcohol lock becomes mandatory for drivers already definitively convicted for driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol level exceeding 0,8 grams per litre.
La The duration of the obligation varies according to the severity of the violation: two years if the detected rate was higher than 0,8 g/l; three years if it exceeded 1,5 g/l. period starts after the suspension of the licenseOnce the driver's license has been regained, the driver will only be able to drive vehicles equipped with an alcohol interlock.
An indication is added to the driving licence indicating the obligation to drive with the device.
It is therefore not a generalised measure, but targeted at repeat offenders. And there is a key point: the alcohol lock is not retroactiveIt does not apply to those who received fines before the law was introduced. The requirement applies to cases regulated after the new provisions came into force. However, the installation also affects those who share a car with the fined individual.
Alcolock: how the device works
Alcohol lock is, in essence, a breathalyzer connected to the vehicle's ignition system. Before starting the engine, the driver must blow into the device: only if the blood alcohol level is zero will the engine start.
Il The system is CE marked and must comply with the standards of EU legislationAuthorized installers apply a special seal – self-destructive – to prevent tampering. In case of roadside checks, the the driver is required to show the original declaration of installation and the valid calibration certificate.
Il device must be subjected to periodic checks Calibration to ensure measurement reliability. Updating the single circulation document is not required, but all documentation must be kept on board.
Alcolock: Which vehicles are it mounted on (and where)
Alcohol lock can be installed on vehicles used for the transport of people and goods: private cars (category M1), means of transport for passengers with more than eight seats (M2 and M3), and commercial vehicles for the transport of goods (N1, N2 and N3). Motorcycles are excluded.
The implementing decree from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport was published in recent months, but only now have the compatible models and authorized workshops been disclosed. At the moment there are two devices that can be used, and the number of installers is limited, although the list is expected to expand.
Not all body shops, even if they have the legal requirements, can fit the alcohol lock but only those indicated by the manufacturer and included in the official list of the ministry.
Alcohol Lock: How Much Does It Cost (and Why Your Bill Can Rise)
Il Estimated cost for installation is around 2.000 euros per car, entirely paid by the driver. To this amount go added costs periodic calibration, maintenance and disposable mouthpieces.
According to Federcarrozzieri, price represents the first major critical issue. But it's not the only one. The Italian car fleet has an average age of 13 years, and many particularly old vehicles installation may be technically impossible. The association then also highlights a potential distorting effect on the marketThe limited number of authorized workshops, in fact, could distort competition and contribute to an increase in costs.
Then there is the case of families with only one carOnce the alcohol interlock is installed, anyone wanting to start the vehicle must take a test and have a blood alcohol level of zero. Even a level within the legal limit of 0,5 g/l would prevent the vehicle from starting.
Alcohol Lock: Penalties and Controls
Anyone who is required to install an alcohol lock and drives without the device risks a fine between 158 and 638 euros and a new suspension of the license from one to six monthsPenalties double in the event of tampering, alteration, or removal of the system. If the person responsible is caught driving under the influence of alcohol again, the penalties increase by a third.
The stated goal is to reduce recidivism and increase road safety. But the economic and organizational impact, starting with costs and the technical compatibility of the vehicles, already opens the door to disputes and possible appeals.
