Senator Supports Ignition Interlock Legislation

California Senator Jerry Hill has come out in support of ignition interlock device legislation for the state of California. Ignition interlock devices would be installed in the vehicle of every convicted drunk driver and would help prevent them from getting behind the wheel while they are intoxicated again. Ignition interlock device legislation has been supported by many as the battle continues against drunk drivers, which kills an average of 1,000 people in California each year, and injures many others. Another big supporter of ignition interlock device legislation is the non-profit organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving, a group formed to stop drunk driving and support victims of drunk driving.

Current ignition interlock device legislation is minimal at best with a pilot program that runs through four counties in the state of California. Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare counties all participate in the ignition interlock pilot program for the state of California. These counties require ignition interlock devices be installed for all convicted drunk drivers. In other counties in the state of California, ignition interlock devices are not required for first time offenders, but can be part of a judge’s ruling on a case, and can be voluntarily installed by any driver.

Ignition interlock devices, when installed and properly maintained, help prevent drivers from getting behind the wheel while they are intoxicated. The ignition interlock device is connected to the vehicle’s engine and must be breathed into by the driver in order to start the vehicle. If the driver has any alcohol on his or her breath, and has a blood alcohol content higher than allowed by the predetermined settings, the vehicle will not start. Once the vehicle has started rolling retests are required throughout the drive to add an additional layer of precaution for driver’s who might try to find their way around the system.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving has supported all states through their legislative attempts at battling drunk driving. Currently several states has required ignition interlock installation legislation for drunk drivers. Other states have similar laws but are more lenient and MADD wants states to step up the legislation because the pain and suffering caused by drunk driving crashes, is pain and suffering that could be completely avoided if DUIs came with harsher penalties. Mothers Against Drunk Driving does claim that drunk driving has been cut in half since their creation in 1980. They were founded in California by Candice Lightner after her 13-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver.

The state’s current legislation has helped prevent some drunk driving, as have the increased number of DUI checkpoints and DUI saturation patrols funded by grants through the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, and California Highway Patrol. There are more steps that could be taken to increase the effectiveness, like mandating ignition interlock devices for all drunk drivers in the state. These devices have helped prevent drunk driving, and helped keep other drivers and civilians safe from any drivers who have been drinking.