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JACKSON, Miss. -- They want to save lives and stop drunk driving. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is pushing for a new bill that would require an interlock system to be placed in the cars of convicted DUI offenders. An interlock system requires a driver breath into a Breathalyzer in order to start their car.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), interlocks are effective in saving lives and reducing drunk driving repeat offenses by 67 percent. Specifically, all offender interlock laws, when implemented well, are found to reduce repeat offenses significantly.
“The interlock device costs about $2.50 a day, if an offender cannot afford the device it would be provided for free or low costs,” said man against drunk driving, and state legislative affairs manager for MADD, Frank Harris. Convicted drunk drivers would also pay into an indigent fund to pay for those interlock systems.
Right now convicted DUI offenders get their license suspended. “Under this bill your friends won’t have to drive you around for your choice to drive drunk in the first place, you can drive yourself around, you just have to be taught to drive sober.”
Penalties as followed under the Interlock Ignition Bill
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), interlocks are effective in saving lives and reducing drunk driving repeat offenses by 67 percent. Specifically, all offender interlock laws, when implemented well, are found to reduce repeat offenses significantly.
“The interlock device costs about $2.50 a day, if an offender cannot afford the device it would be provided for free or low costs,” said man against drunk driving, and state legislative affairs manager for MADD, Frank Harris. Convicted drunk drivers would also pay into an indigent fund to pay for those interlock systems.
Right now convicted DUI offenders get their license suspended. “Under this bill your friends won’t have to drive you around for your choice to drive drunk in the first place, you can drive yourself around, you just have to be taught to drive sober.”
Penalties as followed under the Interlock Ignition Bill
- 1st offense: six months driving with an interlock system
- 2nd offense: one to two years driving with an interlock system
- 3rd offense: three to five years driving with an interlock system
The bill passed in the Mississippi House and now makes it way to the Senate.
