A Personal Story Installing Interlocks

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Harry Lichtman with Draeger Interlocks

Seventeen years ago, Harry Lichtman of Depot Auto Sound, NY started providing ignition interlock devices because it seemed like it might bring in some extra revenue.

But to hear Lichtman talk about it, the business has given him much more than cash in his wallet.

Obviously, the interlock customer is different from the typical car audio buyer.   He isn’t really buying anything; he is court-ordered by the State to rent a device that disables his car unless he passes a breathalyzer test.

While many retailers question whether to invite people in this situation into their store, Lichtman welcomes them with compassion. That doesn’t mean he’s a pushover.  He sees his role as protecting drunk drivers from hurting themselves and others.

“Are some in financial trouble? Are they driving older cars?  Do they show up late? Do some need anger management training?  Do they have authority issues?  All of the above may be true,” he said.

“They are from all walks of life. No one owns the title to drunk driving…before they come to me they were arrested, arraigned, prosecuted and they probably met with a probation officer.  They also probably hired an attorney for $5000. And so by the time they get to me they are broken and have been man-handled by the system,” said Lichtman.

But he finds the business rewarding.  “I’m saving lives one breath at a time.  It’s the truth.  The people who have these interlocks become better humans.  I watch them get better jobs, better cars, better everything.  They become more productive, they are not as angry.  They are more reliable in keeping their appointments.  Why?  They are not drinking.”

Depot Auto Sound installs Draeger interlocks. By state law, interlock users must also return to the shop once a month to recalibrate the units and check for failed breathalyzer tests.

Here’s one story, “A woman brought her husband here for the unit voluntarily.  She explained to me how she told him at supper last night that’s he’s getting this device,” said Lichtman. “The gentleman was not happy and he sat in our waiting room reading the Wall Street Journal and not speaking or making eye contact.”  He came back the next month and he had 18 attempts to start the car intoxicated. The month after, he had tried 10 times to start the car, and he was still unfriendly and not making eye contact.

“On the third month, he had four attempts to start the car intoxicated and when I told him that he said yes, admitting to it, and then he hugged me. He gave me a big bear hug and said, ‘you saved my life. I had no idea I was this bad.’”

Four years later he still comes in every month but the device never shows any attempts to drive intoxicated.

Is it like being a social worker?  A little.  “It’s part of the job. You are dealing with the emotional strain of these clients.  Because they have to come back once a month, my staff and I see them a lot. I’ve been seeing some people for 5 years.”

He makes the process easier for customers when possible.  Depot Auto Sound will drive to your house for a calibration for an extra fee of about $100.

“Has it changed you?” we asked.  “Yes. I learned that drinking and driving is out of control. I never knew how it impacts a chain of other people and events.  It’s like when you throw a pebble in the lake and get the ripple effect.  There’s a deep ripple of what goes on for the people who are convicted of an alcoholic related offense and would like to drive because driving is a privilege, not a right.”

Lichtman’s kids work at the shop in the summer.  And they’ve learned from the interlock program.  “From what they’ve seen and heard they will never drink and drive,” he said. The kids are now 16 and 19.  “They’ve told me, ‘Daddy, look at these people, their lives are ruined.’ To them, as far as they’re concerned, having to be on probation, spending money on this, they want nothing to do with it.”

It’s not all about happy endings. Lichtman once called the probation department on a customer who seemed to be high on drugs and was about to drive.  Two officers arrived at the store within minutes and the customer was arrested and then dragged out yelling at Lichtman.  He won a service award from the Commissioner of Probation for his troubles.

Interlock devices are said to reduce drunk driving deaths by 40 to 60 percent and they’ve stopped 1.77 million drunk driving attempts since 1999, when the first laws passed laws requiring offenders to install them.

Should you install them?  See our story on interlocks here.

Depot Auto Sound participated in our CEoutlook Challenge, which ended in February.

 

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