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Published on Monday, February 2, 2004
in the Capitol News Service
A new state law kicks in this month requiring repeat drunk drivers to install devices on their cars so the vehicle won’t start if the driver is drunk. The so-called “interlock” devices are not cheap - they cost 70 dollars to install and about 70 dollars a month to maintain. Some people argue the high cost may be an unfair burden for people who can least afford to pay.
A thousand people died last year from alcohol-related crashes in Florida. A new law hopes to lower that grim statistic by requiring repeat drunk drivers to install interlocks on their vehicles. The devices won’t let a car start if the driver blows more than a point-0-5 alcohol level. They’re expensive - nearly 900 dollars a year to install and maintain.
Defense attorney Tim Jansen says the high cost unfairly punishes the indigent or people just trying to get back on their feet from substance abuse. “If they’ve been convicted of the offense, they’re going to end up paying their court costs and supervision fees, so they could ostensibly be paying like 300 or 400 dollars a month,” Jansen said.
Andy Hindman with Mothers Against Drunk Driving has no sympathy. He says the victims pay a much higher price. “The emotional costs, the financial costs, losing your job, losing a loved one, having loved ones who have years and years of therapy, trying to overcome injuries caused by a drunk driver,” Hindman said.
About 37-hundred motorists who’ve been convicted of a second or third DUI since last July will be receiving letters telling them they have to install an interlock on their cars. But even police will tell you the interlock device is not a foolproof way of keeping drunks from driving. “Realistically, there’s nothing we can do if someone wants to go and drive another vehicle that’s not equipped with this device,” said Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Col. Ken Howes. But research shows about 90 percent of repeat drivers will comply with the new rule and use the interlock, and that could save a lot of lives.
Florida became the 43rd state this month to have an interlock program targeting repeat drunk drivers.