'Breathalyzer in every car' bill passes house (NM)

krqe.com ^

[chance33_98]

'Breathalyzer in every car' bill passes house

Some state lawmakers are convinced they have the answer to solve the D.W.I. epidemic and want to require everyone on the road to take a breathalyzer test before they can start the engine of any vehicle. Today, the proposal is one very large step closer to becoming law.

A bill requiring an ignition interlock device be installed on every car, truck, bus or motorcycle in New Mexico passed the state house today and is on its way to the senate.

Representative Ken Martinez introduced the bill and says he was pleasantly surprised with today's vote.

“I think it’s an opportunity for N.M. to lead on this issue and be a solution state and not a problem state,” says Martinez.

As for who will pay for the devices? KRQE News 13 has learned there is another proposed bill that would give people a tax credit for the amount of the device.

The senate has until Thursday to vote on the bill.

If the bill survives and is signed by the governor, New Mexico would be the only state in the country with such a law.

Despite an increasing awareness of New Mexico’s D.W.I. problem, few citizen’s sampled by KRQE News 13 approve of the far-reaching proposal.

"I think its a bunch of bunk," says Albuquerque resident Jerry Thompson. “If I haven't been convicted of D.W.I or alcohol related crime I shouldn't have to breathalyzer myself just to start my own car.”

”I think it’s crazy, the thing is it doesn't even work when people (are) court ordered to have it,” says Albuquerque resident Susan Doran.

“I think its just going to make it more difficult especially for older citizens,” says Marietta Carr.

The bill also has perked the ears and raised concern at the local chapter of the American civil liberties union.

“We are concerned that if you've got to sort of go through a mini search every time you drive your car,” says Reber Boult. “That’s very invasive.”

[jwalsh07]

Cripes.

[aberaussie]

How does this work? If your car stalls in traffic, do you have to do the breathalyzer thing to start it again?

[sd-joe]

Next thing, there will be aerosol cans of canned "breath" on the market, that you can squirt into these things to get going.

[CJ Wolf]

Nice. Follow the money, expose the connection.

[isthisnickcool]

insanity

[boxerblues]

They are assuming that everyone who drives is drunk? Sounds like they will have a bigger problem on their hands if this passes.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Having had relatives in NM, this is all about drunk Indians and Mexicans.

An ongoing problem that they seem incapable of addressing.

[jtminton]

Maybe all the drunks will just ride motorcycles. A drunk on a motorcycle makes a big, gory mess.

[Flyer]

I would prefer a basic intelligence quiz.

[clintonh8r]

Exactly. But they can't say the truth, can they?

[hobbes1]

Having had relatives in NM, this is all about drunk Indians and Mexicans.

and now it will be about drunk Indians and Mexicans, with 6 year olds in the car to get it started.

Brilliant....

[Crazieman]

I propose a mass exodus from New Mexico should this thing pass.

[observer5]

This is completely absurd.

[Bikers4Bush]

So now a drunk will just have to get someone else to blow into the device to allow it to start. Someone like, oh I don't know maybe a kid that they drag along with them to the bar and then leave locked in the car.

Idiots.

[chance33_98]

Ping

[joesnuffy]

Just keep a small scuba tank in your vehicle with nice filtered air

In fact if I lived there I would get myself a nice portable compresser and a deal from luxfer
on a whole bunch of small aluminum tanks and fit some valves compatable with the car device

These expensive solutions ...will cause cheap workarounds...

Nanny Statist idiot politicans...trying to get re elected by pretending they actually 'care'

Bwahahahahahahaha

[Puppage]

Everybody smoke pot

[westerfield]

What a totally useless bill that will accomplish nothing except to increase the cost of a car. It will be a relatively simple matter to override any breathalyzer rendering this whole legislation pointless.

[OXENinFLA]

'Breathalyzer in every car' bill passes house (NM)

Car dealerships seen fleeing the state............Film at 11.