Networked intoxication vehicle immobilization

A wireless vehicle relay, comprising:

• a wireless relay housing configured such that the wireless relay can be plugged directly in place of a standard automotive relay of a vehicle;
• a communication module facilitating wireless bidirectional communication between the wireless relay and an external intoxication interlock device operable to selectively restrict operation of a vehicle based on the level of an intoxicant in a user's breath exceeding a threshold;
• and
• a controller contained within the wireless relay housing and drawing power from the vehicle and operable to control the state of the wireless relay based on wireless signals received from the external electronic device.

A method of selectively immobilizing a vehicle based on an intoxication state of a user, comprising:

• detecting a level of an intoxicant in the user's breath using a detection element;
• determining whether the detected level of intoxicant in the user's breath exceeds a threshold using a control module;
• and
• selectively restricting operation of the vehicle based on whether the detected level of intoxicant in the user's breath exceeds the threshold by wirelessly controlling from the control module a wireless relay operable to replace a standard relay in the vehicle, such that the control module is operable to control the wireless relay to selectively restrict operation of the vehicle.