Article Date: 3/27/2007
Title: Pennsylvania: Proposal Mandates Ignition Interlocks for All Cars
Subtitle: Legislation before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives would mandate DUI interlocks on all cars.
A bill introduced last week in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives would mandate that every car sold in the state be equipped with a breath testing device. State Representative Paul I. Clymer (R-Bucks County) insists that every motorist must prove that he is not drunk before starting a vehicle.
Clymer’s proposal would require that, by 2009, all new cars sold in Pennsylvania have a device installed to estimate the amount of alcohol on the breath of a driver. If the machine believes the driver’s BAC is greater than .025 percent — significantly less than the legal limit of .08 percent — the car will not start. By 2010, all motorists would be forced to install the devices on existing cars before being able to sell them as used vehicles.
Several states have mandated ignition interlocks for those convicted of drunk driving, creating a booming business for manufacturers of the devices. Court-ordered interlocks generally cost up to $200 to install with $125 in monthly maintenance fees. Permanent installation of such devices would add more than $1000 to the cost of new vehicles. The Sens-O-Lock brand, for example, lists for $1595. It would be an awesome idea if it actually passes, but I don’t believe it will.
Nope – too Big Brother for me. I can see requiring them if you have a DUI. But on EVERY car? Nope – the government needs to give me laws to follow – not make me prove I follow them to use an item I purchased.