State Driving Law Legislation

Two of the three states without ignition interlock device laws have interlock legislation that is being considered in 2010.  If this legislation is signed into law, South Dakota would be the only state without an ignition interlock laws.

The two bills in Alabama are Alabama Senate Bill 53, and Alabama House Bill 322.

Alabama Senate Bill 53 – Description: Relates to motor vehicles and driving under the influence, increases the penalties for violations by requiring a person authorized to drive a motor vehicle after a conviction of driving under the influence to have installed and operating an ignition interlock device for certain periods of time.

Selected Paraphrase of Bill Description:

The bill would require the Department of Forensic Sciences to certify ignition interlock devices. The Department of Public Safety would be required to issue restricted driver’s licenses for persons required to drive only with an ignition interlock device and would authorize a fee for the issuance of the license and reinstatement of a regular license. This bill would also indemnify the state from liability related to the installation of the devices.

Alabama House bill 322 - Relates to motor vehicles and driving under the influence, increases the penalties for violations by requiring a person authorized to drive a motor vehicle after a conviction of driving under the influence to have installed and operating an ignition interlock device for certain periods of time, provides for the installation and certification of ignition interlock devices, imposes certain duties.

Selected Paraphrase of Bill Description:

To increase the penalties for violations by requiring certain persons authorized to drive a motor vehicle after a conviction of driving under the influence to have installed and operating an ignition interlock device for certain periods of time; to provide for the installation and certification of ignition interlock devices.

Vermont House Bill 363 – Allows a court to order a person to install an ignition interlock device in his or her vehicle upon a second or subsequent offense of operating under the influence, or an offense of operating under the influence in which the person’s alcohol concentration was 0.15 or higher. An ignition interlock system is a device similar to a breathalyzer which is installed in a vehicle’s dashboard. It allows a motor vehicle to be operated only after the driver has blown into it.

Selected Paraphrase of Bill Description:

This bill proposes to allow a court to order a person to install an ignition interlock device in his or her vehicle upon a second or subsequent offense of operating under the influence, or an offense of operating under the influence in which the person’s alcohol concentration was 0.15 or higher. An ignition interlock system is a device similar to a breathalyzer which is installed in a vehicle’s dashboard. It allows a motor vehicle to be operated only after the driver has blown into it, and the device determines that the driver’s blood alcohol is below a certain limit. The bill would require the person to pay the costs of installing, removing, and leasing the ignition interlock device.