If you live in Texas, write your State Senator and remind him or her of just how critical to the lives, safety and economic stability of Texans is passage of House Bill 4061.If you live elsewhere, particularly in states that have yet to pass tough interlock laws to keep more drunk drivers off the road, then forward this post to your state's own representatives also and encourage them to get on the ball...ASAP.
Why? Read on.
Each week in Texas, 24 people are killed in alcohol-related driving offenses. Texas leads the nation in drunken driving fatalities with 1,292 recorded in 2007. Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that repeat drunken drivers account for nearly one-third of those who drive drunk and that more than 142,000 drivers in Texas have three or more DWI offenses.
If legislation could help reduce the dangers from repeat drunken drivers in this state, shouldn't such legislation be passed? If ignition interlock devices can prevent intoxicated drivers from endangering themselves, their families and their fellow residents by separating drinking from driving, shouldn't they be mandatory?
In 2008 Dr. Richard Roth conducted research that found that only one out of 10 convicted drunken drivers each year currently has an interlock on his or her vehicle.
Mandatory interlock requirements took effect in Arkansas last month and in Utah in March. Eight other states -- Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico and Washington -- already have similar provisions.
The installation of interlock devices prevents convicted drunken drivers from starting their cars without first breathing into a breathalyzer attached to a motor vehicle's ignition system to prove they are not under the influence of alcohol. Rolling retests are required six minutes later and again at intervals of 15 to 45 minutes. The devices have been shown to be effective with results ranging from 50 to 90 percent reductions in subsequent drunken driving offenses while the interlock is on the car.
Offenders themselves believe interlocks are a fair and effective sanction, according to a study conducted by Barbara Morse and D.S. Elliott, of the University of Colorado. Their study found that 82 percent of offenders believe interlocks were very effective in preventing them from driving after drinking, and 68 percent believed interlocks were very successful in changing their drunken driving habits...
Current state law in Texas requires the installation of the devices on the second DWI conviction. State Rep. Todd Smith, R-Bedford, is poised to pass House Bill 4061, which toughens state law to require mandatory ignition interlocks upon a first DWI conviction, rather than on a second. Such legislation is strongly supported by MADD, the nation's leading public safety advocacy group dedicated to preventing drunken driving fatalities. In 2006 pollster Bill McInturff found that 65 percent of the public favors mandatory interlocks for first-time convicted offenders.
Rep. Smith's bill was reported out of the Texas House Public Safety Committee with an 8-1 vote and is expected to pass in the House soon.
It is time for the Senate to follow the House's lead and pass this sensible legislation to protect innocent Texans from repeat drunken driving offenders.
(Matt Mackowiak, Abilene Reporter News, May 17)
