Interlock Facts

New Jersey fines any driver speeding five mph over the limit $85. And those caught traveling 20 mph over owe $200. The rest of the state's traffic offenses follow the same theme: the severity of the crime determines the severity of the punishment. But a new bill before the state Legislature aims to change that.

 

Like speeders, there's a big difference between a person driving after two drinks and a drunk who drives after 10. However, proposed legislation would force New Jersey judges to ignore that difference and punish drivers charged with driving just a sip over the limit with the same sentence given hard-core offenders: ignition interlocks.

 

Originally developed for chronic drunken drivers with extreme alcohol levels, ignition interlocks are in-car breathalyzers that prohibit the car's engine from starting if the driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) registers too high. New Jersey courts already prescribe interlocks to keep repeat offenders off our roads. But now anti-alcohol activists have a new target.

 

Proponents of the bill claim it will fight the drunken driving problem. National statistics, though, prove that the problem has been reduced to a few individuals who severely abuse alcohol and still choose to drive. Mandating interlocks for first offenders don't focus on those dangerous criminals.

 

The average drunken driver in a fatal crash has a BAC of 0.19 percent -- more than double the legal limit. That level of intoxication is characterized by slurred speech, uncoordinated movements and delayed reactions. But, the legal limit is so low that it only takes one drink to get arrested for driving while intoxicated in many states. Even though 0.08 BAC is the legal limit, many law enforcement agencies have adopted the notion that "There is no absolute "legal limit' except zero."

 

In fact, police have arrested drivers for drunken driving even when they were completely sober.

 

States can already arrest us for driving after any alcohol consumption. So it's rational to assume that many first-time offenders are not guilty of drunken driving, but of drinking and driving. Which is perfectly legal in all 50 states.

 

A couple of drafts at a ball game, a glass of wine at dinner, a wedding toast or two: Moderate drinking -- not enough to render you impaired, let alone drunk -- may soon be all it takes for New Jerseyans to be charged with drunken driving and saddled with an interlock in their car.

 

Other states have gone so far as to propose universal, mandatory interlocks in all cars. This kind of silliness may sound far off, but it's closer than you think.

 

Saab, Nissan, Toyota and other car manufacturers are already developing new interlock technology to implement as standard equipment. Odor sensors to "sniff" any alcohol in the cabin, dashboard-mounted monitors and steering wheel detectors were introduced last year in concept cars.

 

This kind of zero tolerance is not anti-drunks. It's anti-drinks.

 

If our representatives are serious about improving traffic safety, they should heed an age old saying: "Let the punishment fit the crime."

 

By SARAH LONGWELL ? For the Courier-Post ? July 20, 2008