12/17/07-A bill in the Senate that has been put on hold until next year would require first-time offenders of the state’s drunken driving law to install ignition interlock devices onto their vehicles if they want to continue to drive.
State law already requires the devices for repeat drunken drivers who obtain restricted licenses.
The interlock is hooked up to the ignition of vehicles. 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.
SB679 would require first-time offenders to have the interlocks installed for six months.
The bill remained in the Senate Transportation Committee when lawmakers started wrapping up the 2007 regular session. It can be brought back for consideration there during the session that begins Jan. 1.

8/21/07-A bill in the Senate Transportation Committee would require first-time offenders of the state’s drunken driving law to install ignition interlock devices onto their vehicles if they want to continue to drive.
State law already requires the devices for repeat drunken drivers who obtain restricted licenses.
SB679 would require first-time offenders to have the interlocks installed for six months.
For bill status, call (717) 787-6732.