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Title: New ignition lock laws aim to foil drunk drivers
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URL Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090102 ... i_legislation_ignition_locks_4
Published: Jan 2, 2009
Author: MICHAEL TARM
Post Date: 2009-01-02 14:59:31 by Jethro Tull
Keywords: None
Views: 1772
Comments: 150
CHICAGO – Motorists convicted of driving drunk will have to install breath-monitoring gadgets in their cars under new laws taking effect in six states this week. The ignition interlocks prevent engines from starting until drivers blow into the alcohol detectors to prove they're sober. Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska and Washington state began Jan. 1 requiring the devices for all motorists convicted of first-time drunken driving. South Carolina began requiring them for repeat offenders. Mothers Against Drunk Driving has been conducting a nationwide campaign to mandate ignition locks for anyone convicted of drunken driving, claiming doing so would save thousands of lives. But critics say interlocks could lead to measures that restrict alcohol policies too much. Users must pay for the fist-sized devices, which in Illinois cost around $80 to install on dashboards and $80 a month to rent; there's also a $30 monthly state fee. And they require periodic retesting while the car is running. "It's amazingly inconvenient," said David Malham, of the Illinois chapter of MADD. "But the flip side of the inconvenience is death." Other states with similar laws include New Mexico, Arizona and Louisiana. Most other states give judges the option of forcing convicted drunk drivers to use the devices. In practice though, they are rarely ordered unless laws mandate them, according to MADD. Until now, that's been true in Illinois, said MADD national CEO Chuck Hurley. "Illinois has excellent law enforcement," he said. "But the judicial system leaks like a sieve. This law will change the catch and release system to one where people are at least caught and tagged." In Illinois, the interlocks are mandated only for the five to 11 months licenses are suspended with a first DUI. Drivers can opt not to install them, but then would be banned from driving during the suspension period. Motorists in Colorado get a similar choice — install the devices or get a longer suspension. The law taking effect in Washington state actually relaxes penalties on drunk drivers, allowing them to avoid a previously mandatory license suspension by getting an interlock. The bill's author, Rep. Roger Goodman, said too many motorists were driving with suspended licenses. Motorists could try to skirt the devices by, say, having someone else blow into the detector or driving someone else's car. But if caught trying to circumvent the interlocks, they could go to jail. Within a year, up to 30,000 first-time offenders in Illinois could be using them, state officials estimate. New Mexico was the first state to mandate the devices in 2005. Since then, according to MADD, that state has seen its drunk-driving deaths fall 20 percent. Hurley said other states could see the same percentage decline within a few years. DUI deaths nationally have plummeted to around 15,000 from around 30,000 annually in the early 1980s. Malham, who supports the technology, said in the future even more advanced technology will enable cars to effectively sniff car cabins, scan faces and eyes of drivers or even test sweat on steering wheels to assess sobriety before engines start. Not everyone is as enthusiastic. One of the staunchest critics of interlock laws for first-time offenders is the Washington-based American Beverage Institute, a trade association representing restaurants and retailers. ABI managing director Sarah Longwell said the group backs interlock laws targeting repeat offenders and those arrested with high blood-alcohol levels. But she said laws advocated by MADD don't allow judges to distinguish between those who have a few drinks and go just over the 0.08 blood-alcohol legal limit and those who go way over. "We want sensible alcohol policies," she said. "We want 10 people to be able to come in and have one drink and not one person to come in and have 10." She said current interlock laws could lead to more draconian measures. "We foresee is a country in which you're no longer able to have a glass of wine, drink a beer at a ball game or enjoy a champagne toast at a wedding," she said. "There will be a de facto zero tolerance policy imposed on people by their cars." She argued that MADD puts too much emphasis on links between alcohol and traffic deaths, giving too little regard to the roles excessive speed and driver cell-phone use in deadly accidents. Proponents of interlock laws say studies back their approach. They cite a 2008 study by the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation that found interlock devices in New Mexico helped decrease repeat offenses by approximately two-thirds. MADD also points to figures showing one-third of all drunk drivers have a prior DUI conviction. The American Beverage Institute questions studies cited by advocates, saying they other factors, like education programs, also account for the declines. Malham concedes Illinois' new law isn't perfect. For one, it only applies to drivers during relatively short license-suspension periods. "But perfection can't be the enemy of the good, to quote (18th century philosopher) Voltaire," he said. "I'd like to see more teeth in the law in the future. But this is a start."
Poster Comment: With all the car rentals, they'll also have to note the conviction on a persons drivers license. This will mean whenever a person uses their lic. for ID (as in a new job, etc) the conviction will appear.
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#1. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
I'm in Washington State. Here, you can quite literally blow a .000 and STILL get arrested for drunk driving. No lie. It's just insane. So, when I do (rarely) go out, all I order to drink is soda or maybe orange juice. I'm not willing to pay out over $10,000 in fines and fees just because some cop decided that since I had one drink two hours ago, that I am therefore "driving drunk".
 | Gold and silver are REAL money, paper is but a promise. |
#2. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
this is a fence sitting issue for me since my sister was killed by a drunk driver.
#3. To: Jethro Tull (#0) (Edited)
post removed by puppy
#4. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
"It's amazingly inconvenient," said David Malham, of the Illinois chapter of MADD. "But the flip side of the inconvenience is death." First.. the cost is out of bounds.. hence IMHO only, goes against a fair judgement v. action.. second, Mr. Malham is grand standing, by not adding property damage to his statement, as not all Drunk Drivers have killed someone.. and those who have, are most likely facing at the least, Manslaughter Charges..
Users must pay for the fist-sized devices, which in Illinois cost around $80 to install on dashboards and $80 a month to rent; there's also a $30 monthly state fee. And they require periodic retesting while the car is running.
#5. To: christine (#2)
My thoughts are with you and yours...
since my sister was killed by a drunk driver.
#6. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
Who manufactures and installs these? Sounds like alot of payola.
Mark
If America is destroyed, it may be by Americans who salute the flag, sing the national anthem, march in patriotic parades, cheer Fourth of July speakers - normally good Americans who fail to comprehend what is required to keep our country strong and free - Americans who have been lulled into a false security (April 1968).---Ezra Taft Benson, US Secretary of Agriculture 1953-1961 under Eisenhower
#7. To: Elliott Jackalope, chriatine, mark kamala, all (#1)
Maybe it's me, but I don't trust police breathalyzers and the portable blood testing centers located at DUI road blocks. Yep, they now have portable blood testing stations at these road blocks. I'm not making excuses for someone drunk and driving, but these methods aren't always accurate, nor are the lab tech always competent.
#8. To: Jethro Tull (#7)
I object to these laws on fourth amendment grounds. One should not be compelled to quarter what essentially amounts to a sentry of the state.
And they write innumerable books; being too vain and distracted for silence: seeking every one after his own elevation, and dodging his emptiness. - T. S. Eliot
#9. To: All (#8)
And yes, I realise these are state laws, not feral.
And they write innumerable books; being too vain and distracted for silence: seeking every one after his own elevation, and dodging his emptiness. - T. S. Eliot
#10. To: Jethro Tull (#7)
i agree. i don't know what is the best approach for dealing with DUI offenders.
Yep, they now have portable blood testing stations at these road blocks. I'm not making excuses for someone drunk and driving, but these methods aren't always accurate, nor are the lab tech always competent.
#11. To: christine (#10)
It's terrible that innocent people get killed by drunk drivers, but as usual the politicians have cast a dragnet over a dragonfly. Moderation is the key to life that modern america has lost. I remember going to court as a young pup on public intox charge, the guy on trial before my case had been pooped like 18 times for DUI, his sentence was donate a box of canned food. Same town that held my grandfather for 12 hours on a 41 in a 35 mph zone. My dad had to come and get him, they couldn't see fit to let his WWII verteran, home-owning, factory working, church going, whistling sweet old guy out on his own reconigisance(sp?); Grandma was a nervous wreck for weeks. You know as well as I do: ANY POWER GIVEN TO THE STATE WILL BE ABUSED!
The ultimate effect of shielding men from the effects of folly, is to fill the world with fools. - Herbert Spencer
#12. To: Dakmar (#11)
yes, i know.
It's terrible that innocent people get killed by drunk drivers, but as usual the politicians have cast a dragnet over a dragonfly
#13. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
MADD is ruining America. Fuck them. I have no sympathy any more for those assholes.
I shall not vote for evil, lesser or otherwise.
Used Tires Albany, NY
#14. To: Critter (#13)
I was on the job what they began their campaign. I completely agree that one shouldn't drink and drive, but local government, with MADDs blessing, have turned their crusade into a money grabbing, liberty removing, constitutional usurping abortion. I also detest them. If they had their way they'd shoot for a new round of prohibition.
MADD is ruining America
#15. To: christine (#10)
Ban alcohol. Or ban cars.
i don't know what is the best approach for dealing with DUI offenders.
#16. To: Fred Mertz (#15)
And baseball bats, bikes, and barbeque forks?
The ultimate effect of shielding men from the effects of folly, is to fill the world with fools. - Herbert Spencer
#17. To: Dakmar (#16)
Don't forget kitchen knives...
#18. To: christine (#10)
How about accepting them as one of the risks of living in a free country? I would much rather have to guard myself against drunk drivers than guard myself against a tyrannical police state. And I'm sorry to hear about your sis. That sucks.
i don't know what is the best approach for dealing with DUI offenders.
I shall not vote for evil, lesser or otherwise.
Used Tires Albany, NY
#19. To: Jethro Tull (#14)
I used to tie their red ribbons on my car antenna. Now I wouldn't tie a bag of shit with them. :)
I shall not vote for evil, lesser or otherwise.
Used Tires Albany, NY
#20. To: Fred Mertz (#17)
and old, bald dudes...
Don't forget kitchen knives...
I shall not vote for evil, lesser or otherwise.
Used Tires Albany, NY
#21. To: Critter (#20)
Don't rub it in, hairy one.
#22. To: Critter (#18)
I would much rather have to guard myself against drunk drivers than guard myself against a tyrannical police state. i agree with you. admittedly, it's difficult for me to be completely objective here with images of my sister's massive injuries still crystal clear in my mind. the man responsible, a repeat offender, only lost his license for a year, btw.
How about accepting them as one of the risks of living in a free country?
#23. To: christine (#22)
Over the years you've convinced me of the strength of your character it almost seems silly to have to reassure you, but I understand how you feel, it shows great patience on your part not to just freakin lash out at idiots like me sometimes. There, how's that? :)
The ultimate effect of shielding men from the effects of folly, is to fill the world with fools. - Herbert Spencer
#24. To: christine (#2)
I'm sorry to hear that. I have no sympathy for drunk drivers. A car is a weapon just as much as a gun is when used improperly. A drunk shooter couldn't get away with an "accidental" murder, but drunk drivers do to a large extent.
God is always good!
#25. To: christine, Jethro Tull (#10)
i agree. i don't know what is the best approach for dealing with DUI offenders. I think Sweden has the best solution. Get busted for a DUI and your license is revoked for life. Of course I would favor a chance to appeal for reinstatement after ten years - wherein the individual must prove they were responsible in that time, and that any restitution has been fully made. EXCEPT that if the individual was involved in an accident where someone was badly injured or killed it is permanent with no reinstatement under any circumstance. PERIOD.
Yep, they now have portable blood testing stations at these road blocks. I'm not making excuses for someone drunk and driving, but these methods aren't always accurate, nor are the lab tech always competent.
""I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology...It's importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda...Although this science will be diligently studied, it will be rigidly confined to the governing class. The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated." Bertrand Russel, Eugenicist and Logician
#26. To: Original_Intent (#25)
Are you one of those hard shell Baptists?
#27. To: Original_Intent (#25)
I don't trust government with that kind of power. There was a time I might have agreed, but not any more. No way. They can't be trusted to administer justice any more.
Get busted for a DUI and your license is revoked for life.
I shall not vote for evil, lesser or otherwise.
Used Tires Albany, NY
#28. To: Original_Intent (#25)
I read you and like most of what you say and believe. But not on this one.
#29. To: Critter (#27)
I don't trust government with that kind of power. There was a time I might have agreed, but not any more. No way. They can't be trusted to administer justice any more. I understand your viewpoint, and largely agree that I do not trust the current crop of JBT's to fairly and honestly administer the law. However, there is no excuse for drunk driving. It is a thorny issue GIVEN the untrustworthiness of the JBT's, but anyone convicted in a court, where the facts are proven, has no business on the road. They have proven that they ARE NOT responsible adults and are unworthy of trust themselves. If they can provide exculpatory evidence then they should be able to prove their innocence. While I feel sorry for them I see no reason to extend them undue and unearned courtesy of the doubt.
Get busted for a DUI and your license is revoked for life.
""I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology...It's importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda...Although this science will be diligently studied, it will be rigidly confined to the governing class. The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated." Bertrand Russel, Eugenicist and Logician
#30. To: Fred Mertz (#28)
That is fine. I do not think less of someone for disagreeing. Upon what point, or points, do you disagree and why?
I read you and like most of what you say and believe. But not on this one.
""I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology...It's importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda...Although this science will be diligently studied, it will be rigidly confined to the governing class. The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated." Bertrand Russel, Eugenicist and Logician
#31. To: Fred Mertz (#26)
No, I'm the son of a drunk and so have little tolerance for it.
Are you one of those hard shell Baptists?
""I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology...It's importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda...Although this science will be diligently studied, it will be rigidly confined to the governing class. The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated." Bertrand Russel, Eugenicist and Logician
#32. To: Original_Intent (#29)
I'm not trying to pick a fight, but there is a certain arbitrariness in the system. Like all zero-tolerance laws, it'd be neat if it were applied evenly, but it isn't.
The ultimate effect of shielding men from the effects of folly, is to fill the world with fools. - Herbert Spencer
#33. To: Original_Intent (#31)
So am I. My dad must not been as pathetic as your dad, nanana! :)
I'm the son of a drunk and so have little tolerance for it.
The ultimate effect of shielding men from the effects of folly, is to fill the world with fools. - Herbert Spencer
#34. To: Dakmar (#23)
ahhhh..thank you ;)
There, how's that?
#35. To: Dakmar (#32)
You are right that the zero tolerance laws are often asinine. However, when one takes an action, voluntarily, which puts the lives at others at risk just how tolerant do we want to be?
""I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology...It's importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda...Although this science will be diligently studied, it will be rigidly confined to the governing class. The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated." Bertrand Russel, Eugenicist and Logician
#36. To: Dakmar (#33)
So am I. My dad must not been as pathetic as your dad, nanana! :) LOL! He was a fine man when he was sober. Unfortunately that became less and less frequent over time. He had so much talent and so many gifts, and so many pissed away opportunities. Sigh. I can't rewrite yesterday, but I can imagine how it could have been better.
I'm the son of a drunk and so have little tolerance for it.
""I think the subject which will be of most importance politically is Mass Psychology...It's importance has been enormously increased by the growth of modern methods of propaganda...Although this science will be diligently studied, it will be rigidly confined to the governing class. The populace will not be allowed to know how its convictions were generated." Bertrand Russel, Eugenicist and Logician
#37. To: Original_Intent (#35)
How many lives am I endangering when I make a beer run at .07776% BAC?
The ultimate effect of shielding men from the effects of folly, is to fill the world with fools. - Herbert Spencer
#38. To: Original_Intent (#35)
Looking away from the road for a split second to adjust the heat in your car does exactly that. I say life without parole for adjusting the heat while driving.
However, when one takes an action, voluntarily, which puts the lives at others at risk just how tolerant do we want to be?
I shall not vote for evil, lesser or otherwise.
Used Tires Albany, NY
#39. To: Original_Intent (#36)
And now, here's.... Peace O_I, I done made my point that we're all human, ok?
He was a fine man when he was sober. Unfortunately that became less and less frequent over time.
The ultimate effect of shielding men from the effects of folly, is to fill the world with fools. - Herbert Spencer
#40. To: Critter (#38)
Wish I would've!
I say life without parole for adjusting the heat while driving.
The ultimate effect of shielding men from the effects of folly, is to fill the world with fools. - Herbert Spencer
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