6/13/08-The Assembly voted 75-1 to advance a bill to the Senate that would require first-time offenders of the state’s drunken driving law to install ignition interlocks on their vehicles if they want to continue to drive.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Mike Feuer, D-Los Angeles, AB2784 would mandate that people found guilty of driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher have an ignition interlock device installed to their vehicle.
The bill has moved to the Senate Public Safety Committee. For bill status, call (916) 319-2856.

5/7/08-The Assembly Public Safety Committee voted 6-1 to advance a bill to the Appropriations Committee that 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.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Mike Feuer, D-Los Angeles, AB2784 would mandate that people found guilty of driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.08 percent or higher to have an ignition interlock device installed to their vehicle for five months.
Repeat offenders would be required to use the devices for 12 months. Third offenses would mandate use of the devices for 24 months. For subsequent offenses, violators would be required to have the devices installed for 36 months.
Interlocks are hooked up to the ignition of vehicles. Once such a 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.
In California, judges have authority to require use of the devices to allow offenders to drive to and from work or alcohol treatment.
For Assembly bill status, call (916) 319-2856.