Smart Start, Inc.

Last updated
Smart Start LLC
TypePrivate limited company
IndustryAutomotive accessories, Alcohol-Monitoring technology
Founded1992;31 years ago (1992) in Irving, Texas, United States of America
FounderBettye & Jay D. Rodgers
Headquarters
Grapevine, Texas, United States
ProductsIgnition Interlock Devices, portable alcohol-monitoring devices
Parent Apollo Global Management
Website www.smartstartinc.com

Smart Start, Inc. is an American manufacturer of alcohol-monitoring technology, including Ignition Interlock Devices and portable alcohol breath-test devices. It provides services and technologies that prevent intoxicated drivers from operating a vehicle. In almost all cases, these devices are installed by court order due to DUI or DWI violations.

Contents

History

Smart Start Inc. was founded and incorporated in September 1992 in Dallas–Fort Worth by Bettye Rodgers and Jay D. Rodgers under the name “1A Smart Start, Inc.” [1]

On August 21, 2015, 1A Smart Start, Inc. was acquired by ABRY Partners, becoming 1A Smart Start, LLC. [2] On Nov. 8, 2021, the Apollo Impact platform, managed by Apollo Global Management, acquired Global IID Holdco and its subsidiaries, including 1A Smart Start, LLC. [3]

Smart Start claims to have installed over 200,000 ignition interlock devices and reports that these devices have prevented over 7 million vehicle starts due to potential drivers being over the approved limit. [4] [5] The devices are in use in Canada, the United States, and Australia. [6]

Devices

In 1998, Smart Start began manufacturing National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) certified Ignition Interlock Devices. In 2008, Smart Start became the first Ignition Interlock provider to offer a camera with its Ignition Interlock, allowing authorities to monitor alcohol testing via photo. [7]

Smart Start introduced its IN-HOM™ portable alcohol monitoring devices in 2009, rebranded as SmartMobile™. [8] [9]

Related Research Articles

Drunk driving is the act of operating a motor vehicle with the operator's ability to do so impaired as a result of alcohol consumption, or with a blood alcohol level in excess of the legal limit. For drivers 21 years or older, driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher is illegal. For drivers under 21 years old, the legal limit is lower, with state limits ranging from 0.00 to 0.02. Lower BAC limits apply when operating boats, airplanes, or commercial vehicles. Among other names, the criminal offense of drunk driving may be called driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated or impaired (DWI), operating [a] vehicle under the influence of alcohol (OVI), or operating while impaired (OWI).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Driving under the influence</span> Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of an impairing substance

Driving under the influence (DUI) is the offense of driving, operating, or being in control of a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs, to a level that renders the driver incapable of operating a motor vehicle safely. Multiple other terms are used for the offense in various jurisdictions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mothers Against Drunk Driving</span> Nonprofit organization

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a non-profit organization in the United States, Canada and Brazil that seeks to stop drunk driving, support those affected by drunk driving, prevent underage drinking, and strive for stricter impaired driving policy, whether that impairment is caused by alcohol or any other drug. The Irving, Texas-based organization was founded on September 5, 1980, in California by Candace Lightner after her 13-year-old daughter, Cari, was killed by a drunk driver. There is at least one MADD office in every state of the United States and at least one in each province of Canada. These offices offer victim services and many resources involving alcohol safety. MADD has claimed that drunk driving has been reduced by half since its founding.

Ignition may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ignition interlock device</span> Breathalyzer for an individuals vehicle

An ignition interlock device or breath alcohol ignition interlock device is a breathalyzer for an individual's vehicle. It requires the driver to blow into a mouthpiece on the device before starting or continuing to operate the vehicle. If the resultant breath-alcohol concentration analyzed result is greater than the programmed blood alcohol concentration, the device prevents the engine from being started. The interlock device is located inside the vehicle, near the driver’s seat, and is directly connected to the engine’s ignition system. It is a form of electronic monitoring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breathalyzer</span> Device to estimate blood alcohol concentration

A breathalyzer or breathalyser is a device for measuring breath alcohol content (BrAC). The name is a genericized trademark of the Breathalyzer brand name of instruments developed by inventor Robert Frank Borkenstein in the 1950s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jesse White (politician)</span> American politician

Jesse Clark White is an American educator, politician and former athlete from the State of Illinois. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 37th Secretary of State of Illinois from 1999 to 2023. He was the longest-serving American to hold this office. A popular office holder, White declined to seek reelection in 2022 for a seventh term. Previously, he served as the Cook County Recorder of Deeds from 1993 to 1999 and in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1975 to 1993.

The American Beverage Institute is a trade group based in Washington, D.C. that lobbies on alcoholic drink related issues on behalf of the restaurant industry. It describes itself as "dedicated to protecting the on-premises dining experience - which often includes the responsible consumption of adult beverages." ABI was set up in 1991 by Richard Berman, executive director of the public affairs firm Berman and Company.

DWI courts are a form of court that exists in some United States legal jurisdictions, that use substance-abuse interventions and treatment with defendants who plead guilty of driving while intoxicated or impaired. DUI courts may focus on repeat offenders and drivers with very high levels of blood alcohol at the time of the offense. As of December 2011, there were approximately 192 designated DUI courts in the United States, and approximately 406 drug courts that also accept DUI offenders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Random checkpoint</span> Temporary military or police roadblock

A random checkpoint is a military and police tactic. In a military context, checkpoints involve the setup of a hasty roadblock by mobile truck- or armored vehicle-mounted infantry to disrupt unauthorized or unwanted movement or military activity and to check for valid identification and search for contraband, fugitives, or weapons that are not permitted in civilian hands. Random checkpoints are set up to achieve surprise, as opposed to known permanently located checkpoints, which suspects could circumvent. They are often established in locations where they cannot be observed by approaching traffic until it is too late to withdraw and escape without being observed.

The Highway Traffic Act is a statute in Ontario, Canada, which regulates the licensing of vehicles, classification of traffic offences, administration of loads, classification of vehicles and other transport-related issues. First introduced in 1923 to deal with increasing accidents during the early years of motoring in Ontario, and replacing earlier legislation such as the Highway Travel Act, there have been amendments due to changes to driving conditions and new transportation trends. For example, in 2009, the Act was revised to ban the use of cell phones while driving.

Impaired driving is the term used in Canada to describe the criminal offence of operating, having care or the control of a motor vehicle while the person's ability to operate the motor vehicle is impaired by alcohol or a drug. Impaired driving is punishable under multiple offences in the Criminal Code, with greater penalties depending on the harm caused by the impaired driving. It can also result in various types of driver's licence suspensions.

The laws of driving under the influence vary between countries. One difference is the acceptable limit of blood alcohol content before a person is charged with a crime. Thresholds range from the limit of detection (zero-tolerance) to 0.08%. Some countries have no limits or laws on blood alcohol content.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drunk driving</span> Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol

Drunk driving is the act of driving under the influence of alcohol. A small increase in the blood alcohol content increases the relative risk of a motor vehicle crash.

BACtrack is a brand of portable breathalyzers owned by KHN Solutions. It is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

EN 50436 is a series of European Standards for ignition interlock devices on motor vehicles.

Intoxalock is the primary DBA of Consumer Safety Technology, LLC, which developed technology used by ignition interlock devices, which are breathalyzers installed in vehicles. They are based in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The devices are meant to deter people from driving while intoxicated, and are often mandated by courts of law for people who have DUI or DWI offenses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Field sobriety testing</span> Battery of tests used by police officers

Field sobriety tests (FSTs), also referred to as standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs), are a battery of tests used by police officers to determine if a person suspected of impaired driving is intoxicated with alcohol or other drugs. FSTs are primarily used in the United States, to meet "probable cause for arrest" requirements, necessary to sustain an alcohol-impaired driving conviction based on a chemical blood alcohol test.

Driving under the influence (DUI) occurs when a person operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or when the driver has a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or greater. Minors and young adults aged 18–20 can be charged with impaired driving based on blood alcohol levels of 0.01 or higher, and CDL license holders can be charged based upon blood alcohol levels of 0.04 or higher.

Electronic monitoring or electronic incarceration (e-carceration) is state use of digital technology to monitor, track and constrain an individual's movements outside of a prison, jail or detention center. Common examples of electronic monitoring of individuals under pre-trial or immigrant detention, house arrest, on probation or parole include: GPS wrist and ankle monitors, cellphones with biometric security systems, ignition interlock devices and automated probation check-in centers or kiosks.

References

  1. "CORRECTING and REPLACING Smart Start Canada ULC Becomes New Private Manager of Quebec's Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program". Financial Post. 2018-10-05. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  2. "Apollo acquires Grapevine alcohol management solutions firm". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  3. "PE Firm Apollo Buys Alcohol Breath Test Company from ABRY Partners - SWFI". www.swfinstitute.org. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
  4. "Smart Start IN-HOM? Alcohol Monitoring System". Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  5. "Minnesota legislators say they'll introduce bill over location-tracking ignition systems". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2017-07-30.
  6. Carey, Adam (2016-12-11). "Life really blows for growing number of drivers on alcohol interlock program". The Age. Retrieved 2017-07-30.
  7. "Michigan's Ignition Interlock Law" (PDF). michigan.gov.
  8. "StackPath". www.officer.com. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  9. "SmartStart" (PDF). justicespeakersinstitute.

See also