Smart Start, Inc.

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.

Smart Start LLC
TypePrivate limited company
IndustryAutomotive accessories, Alcohol-Monitoring technology
Founded1992 (1992) in Irving, Texas, United States of America
FounderBettye & Jay D. Rodgers
Headquarters
Grapevine, Texas, United States
ProductsIgnition Interlock Devices, portable alcohol-monitoring devices
ParentApollo Global Management
Websitewww.smartstartinc.com

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]

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. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  9. "SmartStart" (PDF). justicespeakersinstitute.

See also

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.