Bill Mandating Alcohol Sensors In Cars Passed By California State Assembly
If the new bill goes into effect, the pilot program would be implemented in Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento and Tulare County, and would being in July to continue through the end of 2016. At that time, it could become law across the entire state of California.
The ignition interlock requires the driver to blow into the device. When this is done, if alcohol is detected on the breath the car will not start. Even a single drink is enough to set off the sensors of the device. Any blood alcohol level of .08 percent or above will prevent the vehicle from being started. Bill AB91, sponsored by assemblyman Mike Feuer D-Los Angeles, is one that could possibly save an enormous number of lives, and if the bill does pass convicted drunk drivers will pay for the system.
The four counties where the program will be implemented - Los Angeles, Alameda, Sacramento and Tulare - accounted for 40% of the 203,866 DUI arrests that were made in 2007. In the state of California alone, 4,000 people are killed in traffic accidents each year, and about 25% of these are caused by drunk drivers. A very large number of those who are arrested for DUI each year have been convicted previously for driving under the influence. Injuries that are caused by drunk driving accidents each year are estimated to be approximately 23,000.
At present there are over 24 states that mandate ignition interlock devices for repeat DUI offenders. Many of these states have seen a dramatic reduction in the number of repeat offenders, and in West Virginia this number decreased by 70%. In California, the blood alcohol level in most drivers that cause fatal accidents averages .18 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is twice the legal limit.
While it would be expected that MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) are in strong support of this bill, the American Beverage Institute is not in favor of this bill. This is not really a surprise, considering they represent drinking establishments.
The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated providing clients with talented San Diego drunk accident attorney's. Contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.
