DUI Ignition Interlock Devices Could Soon Be Required By Federal Law
In late December, 2009, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) announced that he and U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-NM) had proposed new legislation with the support of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD). The new legislation would make ignition interlock devices (IIDs) mandatory for all individuals convicted of driving drunk in any state, even first-time offenders.
Senator Udall indicated that New Mexico aggressively applied the ignition interlock penalty to all offenders and that the measure has saved lives. He said he believes that “…enacting it nationwide would have the same positive and resounding effect.”
If the proposed legislation is approved and enacted, the federal government may take away part of a state’s transportation funding if they do not adopt and enforce the law’s strict requirements. This would essentially ensure that ignition interlock devices would become a mandatory consequence of DUIs throughout the U.S.
A MADD representative indicated that 50-75% of those with suspended licenses due to DUIs continue to drive anyway. The ignition interlock system, MADD said, allows a person to go to work, school or necessary destinations as long as they have not consumed alcohol.
More specifically, the proposed federal legislation would require any person convicted of DUI to use an IID for six months. Currently, only the following states require IIDs for all drunk driving offenders: Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New York, Alaska and Hawaii.
Although some might say IIDs are an unnecessary inconvenience, their merits are quite considerable:
- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found through studies that subsequent DUI arrests fell by 73% with the IID installed.
- Drivers using the device had fewer crashes than those driving on suspended licenses.
- A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed that convicted drunk drivers who used the ignition interlock device caused 30% fewer fatalities.
If you are seeking legal advice for a DUI in Arizona, you may already be aware of how stringent the laws are in this state. If the Beauchamp Law Office can be of assistance to you, please do not hesitate to utilize our services by calling us today.
There are a few excellent points made here.
On the whole, I’m not very keen on politics. however, now and then all of us have to pay attention. Interesting, thank you.
Breathalyzer interlocks have their fair share of problems, but I don’t think anyone can deny that they reduce DUI recidivism.
You have really great taste on catch article titles, even when you are not interested in this topic you push to read it
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now. Keep it up!
And according to this article, I totally agree with your opinion, but only this time!
Thank you! We always welcome questions you may have and suggestions about topics that you would like to hear about! Thanks again for reading!
I do think this is a most incredible website for proclaiming great wonders of Our God!
Not bad article, but I really miss that you didn’t express your opinion, but ok you just have different approach
It is useful to try everything in practice anyway and I like that here it’s always possible to find something new.
Nice fill someone in on and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you seeking your information.
Good dispatch and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Say thank you you for your information.
I do think this is a most incredible website for proclaiming great wonders of Our God!
increase libido female viagra
This is an interesting article. Thanks for sharing.
well written article, i just bookmarked it for future reference. i would love to revisit on new articles. how can i set up the rss again? thanks!
thanks !! very helpful post!
go figure =[
I never, ever would have thought I would need to know this, but thank goodness for the web
I’m glad I found your site through google , really enjoyed it. Thank you..
I Hope Everyone doesent Underevaluate the true Importance of what you have posted here…Please guys dont skim read this take time and read into thouroughly….Thumps up to the Writer…Great work!
Wonderful, thanks for posting!