2008 Woodie Awards
Bill could crack down on DUI offenders
By: Caroline Barnard
Issue date: 10/31/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Higher consequences may be in store for first-time drinking and driving offenders if a proposed bill continues to move through the state legislature.
The bill, if approved, would require first-time high blood alcohol content offenders to have an ignition interlock device installed on their vehicle for a minimum of one year, along with professional assessment and a treatment program.
The bill, which originally was introduced by Rep. Dan Acciavatti, R-Chesterfield Township, sits in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Gary G. Naeyaert, spokesperson for Michigan Ignition Interlock Providers Association, said the ignition device has had technological upgrades.
"The ignition device is basically an in-car breathalyzer wired into the car and requires a breath sample every time someone wants to drive that car. If one is not provided then the car won't start," Naeyaert said.
He also said the device won't allow a false air supply, such as an air pump.
"The device requires the driver to blow into it in intervals every five to 20 minutes while driving, otherwise the car will become inoperable - when the driver turns the car off it will not be able to start again," Naeyaert said.
If at any point a user decides to skip an interval the car may even flash lights and sound the horn in order to draw attention.
The state Senate received the bill Oct. 16, after the House approved it Oct. 11.
Offenders that must have the device installed in their car are trained and are aware of consequences, including losing their license and jail time.
Cheryl Whitsitt, president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving of Saginaw, lost a daughter to a drunk driver.
"I am 100 percent behind the bill," she said. "It has nothing to do with drinking, it is when someone decides to mix the two and get behind the wheel of a car that that vehicle becomes a weapon not in their control."
Whitsitt spoke on behalf of the bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
"Many times victims find out that the offender has had prior offenses of drunk driving and then that is like adding insult to injury," she said. "This bill will help keep those first-time offenders off the road."
Not all are in favor of the proposal.
Lake Orion sophomore Brittney M. Walker said it could institute some extreme measures.
"I don't think it is necessary," she said. "I think that most of the time first-time offenders learn from their mistakes."
news@cm-life.com
The bill, if approved, would require first-time high blood alcohol content offenders to have an ignition interlock device installed on their vehicle for a minimum of one year, along with professional assessment and a treatment program.
The bill, which originally was introduced by Rep. Dan Acciavatti, R-Chesterfield Township, sits in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Gary G. Naeyaert, spokesperson for Michigan Ignition Interlock Providers Association, said the ignition device has had technological upgrades.
"The ignition device is basically an in-car breathalyzer wired into the car and requires a breath sample every time someone wants to drive that car. If one is not provided then the car won't start," Naeyaert said.
He also said the device won't allow a false air supply, such as an air pump.
"The device requires the driver to blow into it in intervals every five to 20 minutes while driving, otherwise the car will become inoperable - when the driver turns the car off it will not be able to start again," Naeyaert said.
If at any point a user decides to skip an interval the car may even flash lights and sound the horn in order to draw attention.
The state Senate received the bill Oct. 16, after the House approved it Oct. 11.
Offenders that must have the device installed in their car are trained and are aware of consequences, including losing their license and jail time.
Cheryl Whitsitt, president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving of Saginaw, lost a daughter to a drunk driver.
"I am 100 percent behind the bill," she said. "It has nothing to do with drinking, it is when someone decides to mix the two and get behind the wheel of a car that that vehicle becomes a weapon not in their control."
Whitsitt spoke on behalf of the bill before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
"Many times victims find out that the offender has had prior offenses of drunk driving and then that is like adding insult to injury," she said. "This bill will help keep those first-time offenders off the road."
Not all are in favor of the proposal.
Lake Orion sophomore Brittney M. Walker said it could institute some extreme measures.
"I don't think it is necessary," she said. "I think that most of the time first-time offenders learn from their mistakes."
news@cm-life.com
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