Ignition Interlock Legislation Signed by Governor

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Last week, Governor Haslam signed House Bill 353, requiring functional interlock devices in the vehicles of all drunk drivers convicted with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08% or higher. (This is a reduction from previous requirement of 0.15% BAC.) The device must have “technology capable of taking a photo identifying the person providing the breath sample, recording the date, time and test result along with the photo of the person providing the test.”

This new use of these devices should help eliminate drunk driving. Currently 50 to 75 percent of convicted drunk drivers will continue to drive on a suspended license. Other states, where this legislation has been enacted, have seen a 30% decline in alcohol related traffic fatalities. A CDC study suggests that having an interlock device makes it 67% less likely that the person will become a repeat offender. The House sponsor of this legislation was Rep. Tony Shipley.