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.

[Husker24]

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

Since when did fairness ever matter to the gov.

[dirtboy]

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

I think it's a travesty that most states ban the sale of alcohol until the polls close on Election Day, as it is almost impossible to vote for most politicians sober.

[ApplegateRanch]

As usual, the criminals & scoflaws will ignore it, hoping not to be caught, same as they drive unlicensed & uninsured. How many of the 'target group' are repaeat offenders, 'driving while suspended'? Problem is, the judges have forgotten how to "suspend" them properly, instead of shaking a finger & tsk-tsking at them.

[xrp]

Hahahaha

[Bilbo Baggins]

NM ping

[The PeteMan]

LOL!

This rule is so stupid and the state so backwards,,,all I can do is laugh.

[CedarDave]

This is not going to go anywhere in the next 15 hours, which is all the legislature has before they are required to adjourn under state law. I called my state senator this morning and the secretary said the volume of calls against this silly scheme had been steady all morning. It will be buried in committee and die at noon tomorrow unless Bill Richardson calls a special session and adds it to his list. I don't think even he is so stupid as to make NM anymore of a laughing stock than it already is.

[steve-b]

the criminals & scoflaws will ignore it

Ignore it? Criminals (especially rapists) will love a device that imposes a 30-second delay in starting an (honest citizen's -- their own will be hot-wired) car.