New Mexico Mulls Drunk Driving Locks on All Cars (bill already passed the House)

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=domesticNews&storyID=4377328 ^

[conservativefromGa]

New Mexico Mulls Drunk Driving Locks on All Cars Tue February 17, 2004 03:19 PM ET

SANTA FE, N.M. (Reuters) - New Mexico is considering a law that would make all drivers exhale into an alcohol detection device in their cars before they could start the engine. The New Mexico House of Representatives on Monday passed a bill to require an ignition lock that will prevent a car from starting if the driver fails a breath test. The bill is being debated this week in the state's Senate.

New Mexico has one of the highest rates of fatalities caused by driving under the influence in the United States and the bill would mandate the ignition lock to be installed in all cars sold or registered in the state by 2009.

One of the devices available now costs about $1,000. It works by requiring a driver to blow into a tube that detects the presence of alcohol. If no alcohol is detected, then the car's ignition unlocks.

"It's not just about prosecuting criminals but stopping drunk driving before it starts," said Ken Martinez, a Democratic representative who sponsored the bill.

Critics of the bill called the cost of the device prohibitive, adding the measure would penalize people who do not drink and drive by forcing them to buy an expensive gadget.

According to advocacy group Mothers Against Drunk Driving, New Mexico ranked fifth among U.S. states in the percentage of traffic fatalities caused by drunk drivers.

"People called seat belts and air bags inconvenient at first but it's just an issue of getting used to it. I think in the long run it will save money and lives," Martinez said.

[thoughtomator]

One 25-cent balloon is all one will need to defeat their thousand-dollar device. Another brilliant government solution...

[joesnuffy]

A small SCUBA tank (pony bottle)filled with filtered compressed air coupled with the right valving
should be able to easily defeat this device...
If one deviant person would wish to do so that is...
Of which..naturally I am not...so dont quote me on this

[Eala]

They could beef it up by checking temperature and moisture content... but then I've got a great idea for a product.

[thoughtomator]

Yeah, basically all you'd need would be a bag of air, and people will be bringing them in by the truckload from Nevada if they make them illegal in NM. The entire NM House bought into this, pretty funny.

[kittymyrib]

It's going to be tough driving in NM with all the Indians, Mexicans, and politicians walking along the roads.

[mass55th]

That would be alot of fun if you've got to get to the Emergency Room in a hurry. And what happens if the system malfunctions? Who will pay for the damages if a false reading occurs? Hmm. Sounds like there could be a job opening for John Edwards after his Senate term expires.

[HardStarboard]

While New Mexico is at it, I want to put in a plug for my Automated Eye Exam/Ignition Interlock.

This device would verify that you can see a minimum of 20/30 and verify that your contacts are inserted if you require them prior to allowing starting of the car.

Another device I have invented would search for an active cell phone carrier signal, and in the event one is detected, scan the drivers head to verify that the phone is not in use. This device would be active prior to starting the car as well as while underway. If detected while the car is in motion, the steering wheel would lock and the ignition would be turned off.

If anyone is interested in helping these devices to become mandatory, I suggest you vote for the Democrats who are always enacting laws to protect us from ourselves.

[Paleo Conservative]

They ought to test this on legislators and staff first.

[Eala]

Well, if I were designing a device not so easily defeated I'd:
- look for temperatures near 98F
- look for some amount of moisture (ca. 90% RH?)
- require a certain amount of pressure, maybe around 0.5 psi (pipers can get up to somewhere about 1.5 psi, I believe)
- look for some elevated level of CO2
- look for some decreased level of O2
And there may be other factors that could be applied too, as long as they weren't too expensive.

But you're right. Outlaw the defeating device in NM, and someone would sell it in NV.

[Paleo Conservative]

Another device I have invented would search for an active cell phone carrier signal, and in the event one is detected, scan the drivers head to verify that the phone is not in use.

I would think Bill Clinton would need a car that has equipment to tell if Willy is taking over his thought processes. Just think how many deaths are cause by people driving while aroused.

[Eala]

If [active cell phone] detected while the car is in motion, the steering wheel would lock and the ignition would be turned off.

Cellphone Causes Massive Freeway Pileup
Hundreds Killed

*\;-)

[MamaTexan]

It's official.

The inmates are running the asylum.

[Eala]

It's going to be tough driving in NM with all the Indians, Mexicans, and politicians walking along the roads.

Not to mention State Supreme Court Justices.

[xrp]

This is an unfair tax against those Americans who do not consume alcohol.

[rellimpank]

----gee whiz---a mandatory unisex chastity belt installed at the onset of puberty would solve a lot of social problems, too--wonder if they'll think of that next---

[Muleteam1]

Maybe someone should suggest that we New Mexicans be tested for alcohol at the polls?

[Husker24]

Wait untill the California legislature hears this, and you just know Bloomberg will love it.

[swarthyguy]

Fixed by eventually tying it in to a DNA type identity breath and match test. Based on your specifics and anybody else who uses the car. In an unusual situation, the legal aspects could get as sticky as a spilt Daiquiri.

[Husker24]

They could invent a fast food particulate detector, that would kill the engine if it detected that you were eating in your car. Or perhaps a brain wave scanner, that would detect if you even had a thought about something other than driving. And forget about a radio, there will be a $500 fine for possessing one in your car working and attatched or not. Repeat offenders will be inprisioned for a min. 15 years, dont worry, they will make room for them, they will just release a few rapists and murders.