Transport Minister Rokas Masiulis says that the proposed measure, along with preventive and punitive ones, should help reduce the number of drunk drivers on Lithuania’s roads.
“All this has to be solely on a voluntary basis, that is, motorists themselves choose to install an alcolock. This is not something we came up with. This measure has been successfully applied in Western European and Scandinavian countries,” Masiulis said during the Cabinet’s meeting.
“A person caught drunk driving would be able to shorten the driver’s license suspension period by voluntarily installing an alcolock in their vehicle,” he added.
An ignition interlock device is a breathalyzer that requires the driver to blow into it before allowing the ignition to be turned on.
It is not mandatory to use interlocks in Lithuania, but some companies voluntarily install these devices in public transport buses and heavy goods vehicles.