Ignition interlock devices in drunk driving cases are a growing trend across the country. California began a pilot project that requires the devices to be installed on cars upon a conviction for driving under the influence. Los Angeles County is among the four counties participating in that pilot project, which is currently scheduled to run through 2016.

Now, some lawmakers in the nation's capital want to force states to require the devices in all DUI cases by dangling a carrot before state legislatures. Tuesday, lawmakers in the U.S. House unveiled a measure that would offer states more access to federal money if the state requires ignition interlocks in drunk driving cases.

An ignition interlock requires a driver to submit a breath sample. If the machine thinks the driver's blood alcohol content exceeds a preset limit, the car simply will not start.

The current proposal in the U.S. House is part of a massive transportation bill. The federal legislation apparently does not take into account a state's individual efforts, such as California's test program, to determine whether mandating use of the machines is effective. At least fifteen states require use of ignition interlocks in all DUI cases.

The American Beverage Institute says mandating the use of the interlocks in all cases will take discretion away from judges in sentencing. The portable Breathalyzer-type machines also may not be as sophisticated as the magic boxes that the state relies upon to determine guilt or innocence in DUI cases--machines that have raised questions concerning reliability. This blog has previously discussed issues of inaccuracy with the purportedly sophisticated Breathalyzer machines used in Ventura County.

The Senate is expected to consider a measure similar to the House bill in the near future.

Source: Los Angeles Times, "Drunk drivers: Congress gets behind breath-test ignition devices," Richard Simon, Jan. 31, 2012