A vehicle ignition interlock system includes a breath analyzer and a
controller operably connected to the breath analyzer and to an ignition
system of the vehicle. The controller compares detected breath alcohol
levels of the vehicle operator with a threshold value, and is configured
to prevent vehicle ignition if a breath alcohol level detected by the
breath analyzer is greater than or equal to a threshold value. The
controller also requires the vehicle operator to periodically take breath
analyzer retests after vehicle ignition in order to allow vehicle
operation to continue. The controller can reduce the frequency of
periodic retests in response to one or more retests when the breath
alcohol level of the vehicle operator is below a threshold value. The
system may include a transdermal alcohol sensor, a mouth contamination
sensor, a mouth contamination sensor, and redundant alcohol sensors.