Interlock Facts

Today the American Beverage Institute (ABI), a restaurant trade association representing over 150 Maryland restaurants, urged the state legislature to amend ignition interlock bill SB564, which is being heard in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee this afternoon. This bill would mandate the installation of breathalyzers in the cars of all drunk drivers – even low-BAC (blood alcohol concentration), first-time offenders.

“Requiring interlocks for hardcore – high-BAC and repeat-conviction – offenders is a more effective way to fight drunk driving. It also happens to be a financially sound strategy,” said ABI Managing Director Sarah Longwell.

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the average BAC of a drunk driver in a fatal car crash is 0.19% -- more than twice the legal limit. NHTSA statistics also show that Maryland has over 25,000 drunk drivers with three or more convictions. But the proposed interlock mandate doesn’t target either of these dangerous populations and instead will force first-time DUI offenders, even those just one sip over the legal limit, to install breathalyzers in their cars.

“A 120 pound woman can reach the 0.08% BAC level by having two glasses of wine in two hours. Should she receive the same punishment as someone with a 0.19% BAC level or multiple offenses?" asked Longwell.

Interlock activists claim that interlock laws are budget-neutral, but this mandate will cost millions of dollars to enforce. Based on conservative estimates from the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA), it would cost Maryland at least $9 million per year to ensure that offenders comply with such a wide-reaching interlock mandate.

These are reasons why only 12 states have enacted laws like SB564, while 26 have chosen to target those arrested with high-BACs (.15% and above) and/or repeat convictions.

“This bill is an incremental step in a campaign – led by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to see ignition interlock technology installed in all cars as standard equipment,” said Longwell.

MADD CEO Chuck Hurley has admitted that MADD has “a long-term goal to make alcohol interlocks a standard safety feature that is installed in all new vehicles.” MADD is working with auto manufacturers to develop ignition interlock technology that would come as standard equipment in all cars in the near future.

Due to legal, liability, and logistical implications, the devices would have to be set far below the legal limit – effectively eliminating the ability to have a glass of wine with dinner, a beer at a ball game, or a champagne toast at a wedding and drive home.