Franklin County Attorney Rick Sparks favors a bill that would require first-time drunken drivers to give a breath sample before they get behind the wheel.
House Bill 58 would require an ignition interlock device be installed beginning with a first DUI offense.
“Any additional tool we can have to keep people from driving under the influence (after a DUI conviction), I’m in favor,” Sparks said.
“It’s a good way to keep people who aren’t supposed to be driving off the roadway.”
HB 58 unanimously cleared the Appropriations and Revenue Committee Tuesday and will move to the House floor. The House may vote on the bill within the next week.
Ignition interlock devices require the driver of a car to give a breath sample, similar to a Breathalyzer, before unlocking the ignition.
If the device detects high levels of alcohol on an offender’s breath, the vehicle won’t start.
State Rep. Dennis Keene, D-Wilder, sponsors the bill and hopes the devices will prevent drunken driving fatalities.
“It will hopefully keep offenders from getting behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated and keep children, parents and friends from losing loved ones to avoidable and tragic circumstances,” Keene said in a statement.
The bill has 52 co-sponsors including both local representatives, Derrick Graham and Carl Rollins.
The device would cost offenders about $3 per day in rental fees for as long as they have it, Keene says.
Installation of the device costs between $100-$200 depending on the vehicle.
Under current state law, courts may require an ignition interlock device installed after repeated drunken driving offenses, but aren’t required to do so.
Twelve states require ignition interlock devices as part of DUI enforcement; New Mexico, one of the first to pass the stricter law, has seen a 35-percent drop in drunken driving deaths since the law passed, the release says.
Seven manufacturers of the device are approved to do business in the state and more are expected if the bill passes, the release says.
A similar bill passed the House last year, but died on the Senate floor due to time constraints and questions of manufacturing, news reports say.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving has openly endorsed the bill, while the American Beverage Institute opposes using the devices against first-time offenders, news reports say.
Supporters of the bill will hold a rally at 11:30 a.m. Thursday in the Capitol Rotunda.
House Bill 58 also includes provisions that would strengthen drunken driving laws, such as:
>Making driving the wrong way on a four-lane highway among the list of factors for triggering aggravated DUI penalties.
>Requiring that a reduction in the time period of a license revocation not lessen the time required for installation of the ignition interlock.
>Running the period of a license plate impoundment from the date of sentencing to the day the offender is authorized to resume driving.
>Requiring ignition interlock usage while an offender is driving on a hardship license.