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Highway Bill Interlock Mandate
The 2009 Highway Bill, currently being debated in Congress, has an extreme ignition interlock mandate that would force every state to punish all first-time DUI offenders with an in-car breathalyzer, even if they were just one sip over the legal limit.
MADD has been lobbying for similar interlock mandates at the state level across the country, but few states have acquiesced to their demands. MADD has since convinced their allies in Congress to mandate ignition interlocks on the federal level.
What is wrong with Congress’ interlock mandate?
- The estimated cost to states is over $432 million[1] and Congress isn’t offering to pay, leaving taxpayers stuck with the bill. Learn more about this unfunded mandate
- States and judges should have the right to choose an appropriate punishment for offenders
- States will lose highway funding if they do not comply[2]
- The Highway Bill interlock mandate is an incremental step to seeing the devices installed in all cars
Congress needs to amend the Highway Bill to target high-BAC and repeat-offenders
Take Action: Tell Congress to amend this mandate.