To Lock or Not Interlock: That is the Question

Posted by Richard Beaudin on Jul 31, 2009 in Wine Issues | 0 comments

In a newsletter last evening from WineSpiritsDaily.com there was a short article on car ignition interlocks as follows:

“CONGRESS TO CONSIDER MANDATORY IGNITION INTERLOCKS

The issue of ignition interlocks for first time offenders is gaining traction in the U.S. as Congress is set to debate a bill on the subject this fall, according to an article in USA Today.  The latest federal transportation funding bill would require all 50 states to mandate the device for anyone convicted of drunk driving.  If not they face losing federal highway money, similar to when Washington pressured states to change the legal drinking age from 18 to 21.

If the bill were to pass, it would require about 1 million devices in the U.S.  A total of 47 states and Washington D.C. have interlock ignition laws for at least some offenders, while Alabama, South Dakota and Vermont have no ignition interlock laws.  So far only 11 states require all offenders to install ignition interlocks, including first time offenders.

Of course there are (many) critics of the legislation.  “As this creeping mentality about ‘don’t drink and drive’ as opposed to ‘don’t drive drunk’ takes over, you’re seeing more officers inclined to arrest people” below the legal limit for intoxication, stated managing director of the American Beverage Institute Sarah Longwell.  The cost of ignition interlocks could also prevent some Americans from seeking treatment, claimed Carl Wicklund, executive director of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA).

It looks like we could be headed for a big battle in the coming months.  Stay tuned… ”

I would be very interested in your views: Please take part in a 5 minute survey.

Click Here to take survey

I’ll provide the results as they come in.