Smart Start, Inc.
{{Infobox company
| name = Smart Start LLC
| type = Private limited company
| industry = Automotive accessories, Alcohol-Monitoring technology
| founded = {{Start date and age|1992}} in Irving, Texas, United States of America
| founder = Bettye & Jay D. Rodgers
| hq_location_country = Grapevine, Texas, United States
| products = Ignition Interlock Devices, portable alcohol-monitoring devices
| parent = Apollo Global Management
| website = {{URL|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.
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.”{{Cite news |date=2018-10-05 |title=CORRECTING and REPLACING Smart Start Canada ULC Becomes New Private Manager of Quebec's Alcohol Ignition Interlock Program |language=en |work=Financial Post |url=https://financialpost.com/pmn/press-releases-pmn/business-wire-news-releases-pmn/smart-start-canada-ulc-becomes-official-supplier-of-quebecs-provincial-ignition-interlock-program |access-date=2022-02-17}}
On August 21, 2015, 1A Smart Start, Inc. was acquired by ABRY Partners, becoming 1A Smart Start, LLC.{{Cite web |title=Apollo acquires Grapevine alcohol management solutions firm |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2021/11/09/apollo-impact-acquires-smart-start.html |access-date=2022-02-17 |website=www.bizjournals.com}} 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.{{Cite web |title=PE Firm Apollo Buys Alcohol Breath Test Company from ABRY Partners - SWFI |url=https://www.swfinstitute.org/news/89446/pe-firm-apollo-buys-alcohol-breath-test-company-from-abry-partners |access-date=2022-02-17 |website=www.swfinstitute.org}}
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.{{cite web | url=http://www.smartstartinc.com/index.php/products/in-house | title=Smart Start IN-HOM? Alcohol Monitoring System | accessdate=May 12, 2012 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130202205353/http://www.smartstartinc.com/index.php/products/in-house | archivedate=February 2, 2013 }}{{Cite news|url=http://www.startribune.com/minnesota-legislators-say-they-ll-introduce-bill-over-location-tracking-ignition-systems/406139246/|title=Minnesota legislators say they'll introduce bill over location-tracking ignition systems|work=Star Tribune|access-date=2017-07-30}} The devices are in use in Canada, the United States, and Australia.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/life-really-blows-for-growing-number-of-drivers-on-alcohol-interlock-program-20161211-gt8o92.html|title=Life really blows for growing number of drivers on alcohol interlock program|last=Carey|first=Adam|date=2016-12-11|work=The Age|access-date=2017-07-30|language=en-US}}
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.{{Cite web |title=Michigan's Ignition Interlock Law |url=https://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/Ken_Stecker-Ignition_275778_7.pdf |website=michigan.gov}}
Smart Start introduced its IN-HOM™ portable alcohol monitoring devices in 2009, rebranded as SmartMobile™.{{Cite web |title=StackPath |url=https://www.officer.com/command-hq/corrections/product/10624743/smart-start-inhom-breath-alcoholmonitoring-system |access-date=2022-03-09 |website=www.officer.com|date=7 February 2012 }}{{Cite web |title=SmartStart |url=http://justicespeakersinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Smart-Start-Final.pdf |website=justicespeakersinstitute}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.smartstartinc.com www.smartstartinc.com]