Posted on 02/17/2004 4:46:06 PM PST by DesertDreamer
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at abqjournal.com ...
Well, tinfoil hat aside, I suppose an OnStar-type device could be rigged to an ignition interlock. Off the shelf technology that peon-citizen-taxpayers could be forced to fund.
... hence another Jospeph P. Kennedy?
Are we not all familiar with:
How the Kennedy Empire was Built
(...and Other Scandals)
- On January 29, 1919, the Eighteenth Amendment was ratified. It prohibited the manufacture, sale, transportation, or importation of "intoxicating liquors" for "beverage purposes." For Joe, the law represented an opportunity to make huge profits.- He [Joe] formed alliances with crime bosses in major markets, among them Boston, New York, Chicago, and New Orleans. These would come in handy years later when his son was running for national office. Among his mob associates was Frank Costello, former boss of the Luciano crime family, who bragged, "I helped Joe Kennedy get rich." Sam Giancana, who would later figure prominently in Jack's presidency, called Joe "one of the biggest crooks who ever lived."
- Joe bought liquor from overseas distillers and supplied it to organized crime syndicates that picked up the liquor on the shore. Frank Costello would later confirm that Joe had approached him for help in smuggling liquor. Joe would have the liquor dumped at a so-called Rum Row - a transshipment point where police were paid to look the other way - and Costello and other mobsters would then take over. They distributed the liquor, fixed the prices, established quotas, and paid off law enforcement and politicians. They enforced their own law with machine guns, usually calling on experts who did bloody hits on contract.
That was an extra-point question meant for the other guy ...
Sorta reminds me of a joke: A cop pulls into the parking lot of a bar just in time to see a huge group of partyers disappear inside. The cop decides to wait and see who comes out the drunkest and bust HIM for DWI. After quite awhile (this cop having nothing better to do) the first couple of guys stumble outside but seem pretty much ok. The cop decides he wants somebody for FELONY DWI. another couple of mildly drunk folks stumble to their cars and drive away. FINALLY, this one guy crawls outside on his hands and knees, retching all the way. Fails to get his keys in the door twice and then three times to put the keys in the ignition. The instant the car roars to life, the cop POUNCES!
Running across the lot, he drags the helpless man from behind the wheel as the rest of the drunks scramble from the bar and drive away. The cop ignores all the rest. He has a FELONY DWI under arrest! Then he gives the roadside test, which the guy passes. Then a breathalyzer which blows no alchohol content! The cop is bewildered then furious.
SCREAMING: "YOU'RE DEAD DRUNK! I SAW YOU!!"
To which the kid smirks and replies:
"Nope, not tonight. I'm just the designated DECOY!"
Designated drivers will still be the rule. His duties will simply extend to blowing a clean breath into everybody's personal breathalyzer so they can start their car and be about their business. I could forsee a small fee being charged for this service.
and worse...another crop of such pulpous spawn
I simply don't see 'enabling or disabling' a vehicle as being the same as "controlling the usage of" a vehicle. I think (or thought at the time) that you had something more extensive in mind ...
Sorta reminds me of a joke: A cop pulls into the parking lot of a bar just in time to see a huge group of partyers disappear inside. The cop decides to wait and see who comes out the drunkest and bust HIM for DWI. after quite awhile (this cop having nothing better to do) the first couple of guys stumble outside but seem pretty much ok. The cop decides he wants somebody for FELONY DWI. another couple of mildly drunk folks stumble to their cars and drive away. FINALLY, this one guy crawls outside on his hands and knees, retching all the way. Fails to get his keys in the door twice and then three times to put the keys in the ignition. The instant the car roars to life, the cop POUNCES! At running across the lot, he drags the helpless man from behind the whell as the rest of them scramble from the bar and drive away. The cop ignores all the rest. He has a FELONY DWI under arrest! Then he gives the roadside test, which the guy passes. Then a breathalyzer which blows no alchohol content! The cop is bewildered then furious. SCREAMING: "YOU'RE DEAD DRUNK! I SAW YOU!!" to which the kid smirks and replies: "Nope, not tonight. I'm just the designated DECOY!"
ONLY going by the words you penned on the page, I assure you. I cannot read your thoughts ...
"Words *do* mean things."
If you live in NM Senate Majority Manny Aragon's district that would be a very real concern.
Next they'll have us peeing in a cup.
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