RICHMOND
Sighs of regret won't be the only heavy breathing from some motorists if Mothers Against Drunk Driving has its way.
In a campaign to be announced this morning in the Capitol building, the group will push for a law to install breath-testing machines in the cars of convicted drunken drivers.
The machines, called ignition interlocks, prevent vehicles from starting if a driver's blood-alcohol concentration registers higher than 0.02 percent. They would be installed in a person's car for at least six months.
"We need to keep people from driving drunk," said Del. Sal Iaquinto, R-Virginia Beach, who pushed a bill for the machines through the House of Delegates. "It's that simple."
State law requires the machines for convicted drivers whose blood-alcohol level was 0.15 or higher, nearly double the legal limit for driving of 0.08. Iaquinto's bill extends the penalty to anyone convicted of DUI.
The cost of installing, removing and maintaining the machines is estimated to be between $300 and $400.
Richard Quinn, (757) 222-5119, richard.quinn@pilotonline.com
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Even If The Device Functions Perfectly
It still may be impractical and impossible to enforce the use of it. Drunk people can just buy another car....they can use their girlfriend's, boyfriend's, brother's car. There are unlimited possibilities of how a car without this device can be obtained. Drive an even drunker bar buddy home because they are too inebriated, etc, etc. Drunks will drive without a license or insurance, so I'm fairly certain this wont be much of an obstacle. If they still have the money to drive after repeated DUI arrests, & associated legal fees, fines, etc, getting another vehicle will probably not be a problem. I gotta agree with swd2k that possible kickbacks from the manufacturer to MADD may be a possibility . "I once had a g/f who went to her last appearance in court on a DUI matter. The judge had her tested on the spot. She was twice the limit and did 5 days in VB jail. I had to bring her some underwear" contractorva
Like PETA?
MADD reminds me of PETA - won't really go into why, but I think you can figure that out. One of the things MADD can't seem to realize is that you can't stop drinking and driving any more than you can stop murder, robbery, and rap music.
I do wonder though if their group is in line to receive kickbacks from the manufacturer of these interlock devices so that they can further their agenda, whatever that might be. Education would be a good one, but I've never really seen or heard much from them on that front - punishment seems to be more their style.
Finally, one of the reasons this probably won't work is that once you pay your penalty for a DUI conviction, you are again free to make your own choices. Making an interlock device a requirement forever is probably punishment that doesn't fit the crime. Sure, if you killed someone, you need to be punished, but there are laws in place already that address that issue. MADD needs to focus on EDUCATION, not penalties.
Interlock Device
A thing about interlock devices that most people do not know is how inaccurate they are. The device in the state of VA will let you blow up to a .02, but if you chew a piece of gum, you will blow a .05. If a person who does not have an interlock, chews a piece of gum, and drinks one beer, you will blow above the legal limit. I dont think interlock devices are bad things, I think they need to be more accurate. The company that installs them knows that they will pick up on things like toothpaste, cold medicine, and gum, and they will tell you you need to wait to drive, the time table they give isnt always accurate either. Instead of using interlocks, I think if bars/restaurants, had the strips that tested your alcohol level before you walked out the door, or even a vending machine that offered them for 5 or 10 cents or some minimal fee as people walked out the door, they might actually stop to see what their blood alcohol level is... even if they are just joking around and want to see what their blood alcohol level is, they may actually take it seriously sometime.
Yeah, I agree. Keep pushing
Yeah, I agree. Keep pushing hard on DWI's but broaden you stance against cellphone usage while driving. I for one know first hand the risk of cellphones while driving. I ran in the back of an SUV while dialing mine. Thankfully no one was hurt.
Safety not Prohibition
MADD seems to be an under-cover chapter of the Prohibitionist Party. The point doesn't seem to be about driving safety but to criminalize and punish anyone who drinks. In anything, the legal limit needs to be increased so law enforcement can focus only on people that are really causing the problems. The only one that will benefit from sticking an interlock in a light drinker's car is the company that sells the interlock machines.
What about...
What about the soccer mom in the speeding minivan, dialing the cellphone, kids screaming in the back, making lane changes with no signal (and not checking the mirrors), tailgating, etc? What feel-good measure are you going to come up with for this HAZARD to daily driving?
I'd rather take my chances with someone that's had two drinks (more than enough to blow the legal limit for most people) than a mini-van driver...