Mandatory Ignition Interlock Law in the Offing?

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

According to Time magazine, a federal highway bill moving through congress would require mandatory breathalyzer ignition interlocks be placed on all cars belonging to DUI convicts. The interlocks would require the driver to pass a blood-alcohol level breath test before an equipped vehicle can be started. Currently several states require interlocks for citizens convicted of DUIs, while others require them only for repeat offenders. The highway bill would block federal infrastructure funds to any state that does not approve mandatory interlock laws. Mandatory interlocks have been a hotlydebated topic for some time, but few had expected the old highway-funding canard to be warmed up for the battle.

“The national 21 minimum drinking age and the .08% law [for allowable alcohol in the bloodstream] both resulted from federal highway sanctions. History tells us that this approach works,” say spokesfolks for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Yes, well so was the double nickel. And look how that turned out. But MADD supports the bill, citing New Mexico’s example, where DUI-caused deaths reportedly dropped by 35 percent after an interlock law was enacted.

The other side of the coin? One New Jersey Assemblyman has an interesting perspective on a proposed state interlock law, pointing out that the monthly interlock fee would raise the fines for a first-time offender to over $10,000. Which is likely more than many cars are actually worth. As a result, “one merely has to transfer title ownership of the car to a spouse, child or family friend,” in order to avoid the monthly interlock and its attendant fees.

In Wyoming, lawmakers respond to the charge of interlock loopholes by suggesting that the state should simply impound cars belonging to DUI convicts. Since MADD estimates that DUI is America’s favorite crime, this solution (combined with auctions) might help out the odd budget crisis as well.

In Ohio, where judges are allowed (but not required) to issue interlocks, an editorial points out:

Only 11 states have laws that mirror the proposed federal legislation. That doesn’t mean that 11 states have taken the right approach, or the wrong approach, to DUI offenders. What it means is that only 11 states have had a debate about the pros and cons that led to such a mandate. Ohio’s law allows judges to order the use of ignition interlock systems when granting limiting driving privileges. In other words, Ohio’s law allows judges to make judgments, which is what voters elect judges to do.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Wsn Wsn on Jul 02, 2009
    Flashpoint : July 1st, 2009 at 6:32 pm I think Drunk drivers who cause death to others should lose their licenses permanently. --------------------------------------- I think drunk drivers should have their licenses removed permanently. Those causing death should be charged with man-slaughter. Yeah, they didn't deliberately kill someone (that's for murder). They did deliberately enter a killing mode.
  • Rm Rm on Jul 02, 2009

    There was a recent incident near Holland, MI where a drunk driver killed one cyclist and injured another when he ran a red light (the cyclists had the right of way). His license had been suspended for something like 16 years (related to DUIs). He has been charged w/ 2nd degree murder in addition to several other offenses like evading police. I doubt he'll ever be a free man again (quite justified IMHO). Taking away his license didn't work. If an interlock could be defeated, I'm sure he'd find a way. So, what do we do with these types of offenders? Unfortunately, I do tend to agree that incarceration is likely the only reasonable solution. The hard part in our society is that cars are such an essential part of the transportation infrastructure that people will work hard to defeat any technical or soft legal measure you put in their way.

  • Lorenzo Heh. The major powers, military or economic, set up these regulators for the smaller countries - the big guys do what they want, and always have. Are the Chinese that unaware?
  • Lorenzo The original 4-Runner, by its very name, promised something different in the future. What happened?
  • Lorenzo At my age, excitement is dangerous. one thing to note: the older models being displayed are more stylish than their current versions, and the old Subaru Forester looks more utilitarian than the current version. I thought the annual model change was dead.
  • Lorenzo Well, it was never an off-roader, much less a military vehicle, so let the people with too much money play make believe.
  • EBFlex The best gift would have been a huge bonfire of all the fak mustangs in inventory and shutting down the factory that makes them.Heck, nobody would even have to risk life and limb starting the fire, just park em close together and wait for the super environmentally friendly EV fire to commence.
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