All Cars May Get DWI Locks

Albuquerque Journal ^ | Tuesday, February 17, 2004 | Kate Nash

[pilgrim]

 

 

http://www.abqjournal.com/xgr/146300xgr02-17-04.htm

 

Tuesday, February 17, 2004

All Cars May Get DWI Locks

By Kate Nash
Journal Capitol Bureau
    SANTA FE— Every car sold or registered in New Mexico would have to have an alcohol-detecting device installed before 2009 under legislation approved by the House on Monday.
    New Mexico, always grappling for answers to chronic drunken-driving arrests and deaths, would be the first in the nation to require the devices, said Rep. Ken Martinez, D-Grants, the sponsor.
    The device is known as an ignition interlock, and drivers have to blow into them and pass the alcohol detection test before their cars can start.
    The measure, approved 45-22, headed to the Senate for debate. Gov. Bill Richardson said he would carefully consider the bill if it gets to his desk.
    The bill (HB 126) would require the ignition interlocks to be installed by the owner before any car could be registered or sold. For new cars, the law would take effect in 2008; for used cars it would be 2009.
    "Citizens of the state of New Mexico, you're going to pay a little more, but you are going to be part of the solution," Martinez said.
    The cost was the main point opponents raised during a three-hour debate. The devices cost up to $1,000 now, but could go down significantly as technology improves, Martinez said.
    "You're already paying for DWI. Everybody in New Mexico already pays. DWI is very expensive," Martinez said.
    Martinez estimated New Mexico spends $1 billion a year on alcohol-related problems.
    Another measure approved by the House on Monday (HB 533) would give a tax credit for the cost of the device when bought as part of a new car. Martinez also is working on ideas to help those who would have to pay for the devices in used cars.
    Richardson said Martinez's bill "deserves careful consideration."
    "The governor supports expanded use of ignition devices and other innovative technology to help battle DWI," spokesman Gilbert Gallegos said.
    While lawmakers for years have proposed tougher penalties and other DWI deterrents, Martinez said his measure would stop drunken driving before it happens.
    "Instead of debate on DWI being on what to do after the injury, after the death, the debate will be what do we do before the injury, before the death," he said.
    Critics also said the bill would unfairly apply to those who don't drink and drive.
    But supporters said the cost and the inconvenience of having to blow into the device are worth the price if it prevents someone from dying.
    "What about the cost of a human life? We can't seem to put a price on that," said Rep. Luciano 'Lucky' Varela, D-Santa Fe.
    Ignition interlocks aren't new to New Mexico. Some convicted drunken drivers are required to have the devices as part of their sentence and some repeat offenders have licenses that only allow them to drive cars equipped with the device.
   
Focus on DWI
    DWI is a key target of lawmakers this year. The Legislature is set to adjourn Thursday at noon, but it has a slew of drunken-driving measures to consider, including a package of bills pushed by Richardson to increase penalties for those who kill others while driving and those who provide alcohol to minors.
    Apart from a bill to fix a glitch in DWI laws from last year, the governor's package of bills is pending in legislative committees, including some scheduled to be heard Monday night in the House Judiciary Committee.
    Anti-DWI activists, including Sen. Kent Cravens, R-Albuquerque, last week bemoaned the slow pace of the bills, which must be approved by committees and the full House and Senate before going to the governor.
    Terry Huertaz, state executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said Monday she's disappointed and fears the governor's package won't be acted on.
    "It's not going to happen. It's sad," she said.
    After the governor earlier this year made DWI his top priority this session, Huertaz was thrilled.
    "I kind of felt like I was chasing rainbows for three weeks," she said. "And then I started getting condolences."
    The state Supreme Court on Monday said it will consider a recent Court of Appeals decision related to DWI. The court said increased penalties passed last year by the Legislature didn't apply because a bill with more lenient penalties was signed after a bill that increased punishment. The last bill signed is the one that becomes law, according to a Court of Appeals ruling.
    However, the Senate and House have approved a measure to reconcile the conflict and put the stronger penalties in place for repeat drunken drivers. That measure— HB 94 committee substitute— is headed to Richardson's desk.
    Attorney General Patricia Madrid said some 25 pending DWI cases could be affected by the high court's decision.
    "This is the critical first step to get the Supreme Court to reverse the Court of Appeals decision and uphold the increased DWI penalties that the Legislature enacted in 2003," Madrid said. "While I continue to urge even stronger penalties to be enacted, I will also continue to do all I can to ensure that the courts honor any and all DWI penalty increases that have been adopted."

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From the Nanny State Land of Enchantment:

 

Any answers for this problem?

 

[henderson field]

So the presumption of guilt is replacing the presumption of innocence as another step along the road to the police state.

[ruiner]

"pay 1 billion dollars a year for alcohol related problems"

That is not the same thing as DWI related problems. There really is a big difference. Alcohol related problems encompasses child neglect, domestic abuse, and, for all we know, economic losses from missed work etc etc etc.

At least be honest.

[agitator]

Hey, it's *their* car as far as they're concerned.

[Glenn]

"Citizens of the state of New Mexico, you're going to pay a little more, but you are going to be part of the solution," Martinez said.

Martinez needs a martini.

[Cicero]

Does New Mexico yearn to be the new California?

[ZOOKER]

What a great idea!

I want one at every legislator's desk, to assure that before any congressperson votes or engages in debate he has a clear head.

[Johnny_Cipher]

"Citizens of the state of New Mexico, you're going to pay a little more, but you are going to be part of the solution," Martinez said.

Idiotic. A rubber squeeze bulb from a turkey baster is also going to become standard equipment when this monstrosity is mandated.

[HairOfTheDog]

Every car sold or registered in New Mexico would have to have an alcohol-detecting device installed before 2009 under legislation approved by the House on Monday.

Wow.... this actually ~passed~ the house? Unbelievable!

These things are a great answer for DWI arrestees.... it changes habits while allowing drivers to continue living and working. But... Silly to include everyone. It is also a pain in the rear that actually has a lot of problems with some of the newer electronic ignition systems.

[Glenn]

And another thing:

How in hell did a bill this inflammatory get as far as it has without media or other scrutiny?

[The PeteMan]

To really lower Insurance cost due to uninsured motorists, they should have a device similar to the ones that read credit cards where the driver would have to swipe their GREENCARD to make the car start.

Everyday I realize that Government is here to do stupid things and spend our money on things we could do without. Things are out of control.

[JesseHousman]

The problem as I saw it while living in New Mexico was the drunken indians. These braves were masters of drunken head-on collisions on interstate highways.

They would get so drunk they'd head south in the northbound lanes and kill scores of innocents.

The answer: no firewater for indians!

The last one I knew of before moving two years ago was at 9:00 AM that wiped out a car containing two senior couples on vacation from up north.

[Proud_texan]

Haven't looked lately but last time I did NM was almost a third world compared to neighboring states. Tis a shame, I love the state, but it's been a one party state for decades and it shows.

[Petronski]

Save me, save me, nanny state!

[BlueLancer]

I certainly hope that the first woman who is abducted and raped because she couldn't get her car started quickly enough to get away sues the h*ll out of New Mexico.

[TBall]

Too funny, all the drunks are going to have to first go out and start their car before they start their six pack.

[HairOfTheDog]

That won't work. Needs a sustained and pretty strong dose of air for several seconds.

[glock rocks]

BONUS !!

Get yer New Mexico DWI Interlock Zero-blower today, just $299.95.

We'll take yer check, money order or credit card number. Just call 1-800-GLOCK ROCKS

Limited offer, Call today!

[South40]

Easy to understand coming from a state that considers it against the law to ride in a vehicle driven by someone under the influence.

[Bambino]

I can see the nondrinkers standing outside the NM bars hollering:

"Start your car for $5.00 mister?"