Interlock Facts

WASHINGTON – Today the American Beverage Institute (ABI) denounced ignition interlock bill AB2784 which would mandate the installation of breathalyzers in the cars of low-BAC (blood alcohol concentration) first-time offenders.

During testimony yesterday in front of the California State Assembly, ABI managing director, Sarah Longwell, opposed AB2784 saying, "We believe that this bill denies judicial discretion and ignores proportional response by mandating ignition interlock devices for low-BAC, first-time offenders."

The ABI further advocated in favor of targeting the high-BAC drivers and repeat offenders, who comprise the core of today’s drunk driving problem.

“By mandating breathalyzers for first-time offenders who may have has as little as two glasses of wine, this bill ignores the root cause of today’s drunk driving problem—hard core alcohol abusers,” said ABI spokeswoman Sarah Longwell.

The bill pending in California fails to target this population of dangerous drunks. Instead, this legislation would force, even those just one sip over the legal limit, to install breathalyzers in their cars.  

“With California’s drunk driving limit set at 0.08% BAC, this bill would mandate that drivers install a breathalyzer in their car for behavior that, according to numerous studies, impairs them less than driving while talking on a hands-free cell phone,” said Longwell. “A 120 pound woman can reach the 0.08% BAC level by having two glasses of wine over two hours. Should she receive the same punishment as someone with a 0.19% BAC level or multiple offenses?"

“This bill won’t help solve the drunk driving problem in California,” she said, “because it targets the wrong people.”

The American Beverage Institute is an association of restaurants committed to the responsible serving of adult beverages. To learn more visit: www.AmericanBeverageInstitute.com. For further information or to arrange an interview please call Sarah Longwell at (202) 463-7110.