1/4/08-HB4921 remained in the Senate Judiciary Committee when the 2007 session closed. It can be brought back for consideration during the session that begins Jan. 9.

11/1/07-A bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee is intended to make the state’s roadways safer by cracking down on drunken drivers. The House already approved it.
Sponsored by Reps. Dan Acciavatti, R-Chesterfield, HB4921 would require repeat offenders of the state’s drunken driving rules to install breath-testing ignition interlocks on their vehicles for at least one year.
The interlock is hooked up to the ignition of the vehicle. Once the device is installed, a driver must blow into a mouthpiece, which measures the amount of alcohol on a person’s breath. If the driver blows clean, the car will then start; if not, it won’t budge.
In addition, the devices often require drivers to re-blow in the machine after a designated period of time, to ensure that they have not convinced someone else to blow into the mouthpiece for them, or that they haven’t been drinking since getting behind the wheel.
Drunken driving offenders who install the interlock device could get back on the road in 45 days. Michigan law now mandates a year-long license suspension.
For bill status, call (517) 373-0136.

10/15/07-The House approved a bill that is intended to make the state’s roadways safer by cracking down on drunken drivers. It has moved to the Senate.
Sponsored by Reps. Dan Acciavatti, R-Chesterfield, HB4921 would require repeat offenders of the state’s drunken driving rules to install breath-testing ignition interlocks on their vehicles for at least one year.
The interlock is hooked up to the ignition of the vehicle. Once the device is installed, a driver must blow into a mouthpiece, which measures the amount of alcohol on a person’s breath. If the driver blows clean, the car will then start; if not, it won’t budge.
In addition, the devices often require drivers to re-blow in the machine after a designated period of time, to ensure that they have not convinced someone else to blow into the mouthpiece for them, or that they haven’t been drinking since getting behind the wheel.
Drunken driving offenders who install the interlock device could get back on the road in 45 days. Michigan law now mandates a year-long license suspension.
The bill is awaiting assignment to committee in the Senate.
For House bill status, call (517) 373-0136.

7/30/07-The House Judiciary Committee approved a bill that is intended to make the state’s roadways safer by cracking down on drunken drivers.
Sponsored by Reps. Dan Acciavatti, R-Chesterfield, HB4921 would require repeat offenders of the state’s drunken driving rules to install breath-testing ignition interlocks on their vehicles for at least one year.
The interlock is hooked up to the ignition of the vehicle. Once the device is installed, a driver must blow into a mouthpiece, which measures the amount of alcohol on a person’s breath. If the driver blows clean, the car will then start; if not, it won’t budge.
In addition, the devices often require drivers to re-blow in the machine after a designated period of time, to ensure that they have not convinced someone else to blow into the mouthpiece for them, or that they haven’t been drinking since getting behind the wheel.
Drunken driving offenders who install the interlock device could get back on the road in 45 days. Michigan law now mandates a year-long license suspension.
The bill is awaiting further consideration on the House floor.
For House bill status, call (517) 373-0136.