News & Media Mentions
Drunk-Driving Interlock Sales May Jump Fivefold
BloombergFebruary 16, 2012
By Angela Greiling Keane
Drunk drivers: Congress gets behind breath-test ignition devices
The Los Angeles TimesJanuary 31, 2012
Steering Hill leaders to drunken-driver devices
The Washington TimesJuly 10, 2011
As House leaders prepare to roll out a massive six-year highway funding bill, among the many interests watching with anticipation are a handful of businesses that have pressed for a requirement that could take them from cottage industry to multimillion-dollar market overnight.
Ore. Restaurants Urge Interlock Rule Veto
KTVZJuly 7, 2011
SALEM, Ore. -- The American Beverage Institute, a restaurant trade group representing over 50 Oregon restaurants, urged Governor Kitzhaber Thursday to veto HB 3075, which would mandate the installation of breathalyzers in the cars of all drunk drivers – even low-BAC (blood alcohol concentration), first-time offenders.
Distracted driving riskier than drinks
South Florida Sun-SentinelDecember 14, 2010
It's time for the annual office holiday party. John has a couple of beers to celebrate, then hits the road. Pulling out of the parking lot, he called up Facebook and Twitter on his voice-activated dash to see what his friends were up to. Discovering that they were getting together for some late-night hijinks, he made a hands-free cell phone call to see where the action was. After making plans, he texted his wife to let her know he'd be home late. And when he saw he was running behind, he decided to go 15 mph over the speed limit to make it on time.
Restaurant group says all cars don't need alcohol detectors
The HillMay 26, 2010
A restaurant industry group voiced its opposition Wednesday to Rep. John Sarbanes' (D-Md.) push to mandate alcohol detection devices in all cars.
Md., Va. consider ignition breathalyzers for first offense
Washington PostMarch 2, 2010
The movement to rid the roads of drunk drivers is nearing a watershed as states increasingly mandate the use of ignition breathalyzers for first-time offenders. The political will to require their use will be tested this week in Richmond and in Annapolis, when lawmakers consider following the lead of 12 other states where a first conviction results in mandatory use. Ten other states are debating whether to take the same step.
Should All Convicted Drunken Drivers Have Alcohol-Detection Devices in Their Cars?
ABC NewsOctober 14, 2009
This week California became one of the few states in the nation to require some of its first-time drunken driving offenders to install alcohol detection technology in their cars, a move advocates for the devices hope will spread to the rest of the country.
Accurate data needed before new driving laws are enacted
Lowell SunOctober 8, 2009
One of Mothers Against Drunk Driving's favorite talking points ("a first-time offender on average has driven drunk 87 times prior to being arrested") goes so far as to accuse Americans of criminal acts with no proof to back up the claim ("State mulls mandatory ignition devices," Oct. 6).
Sobriety Summit?
National JournalAugust 8, 2009
The American Beverage Institute's dustup with Mothers Against Drunk Driving over the propriety ofPresident Obama's "beer summit" -- with erstwhile antagonists professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. of Harvard and police Sgt. James Crowley of Cambridge, Mass. -- was part of a larger legislative fight between the two groups that has hit the federal level.
Alcohol Advocacy Group Criticizes MADD over ‘Beer Summit’
Wall Street JournalAugust 3, 2009
It’s not every day Mothers Against Drunk Driving is accused of acting like a radical fringe group, but today the American Beverage Institute did just that, calling MADD an “anti-alcohol group that has been hijacked by the modern day temperance movement.”
U.S. may require anti-DWI locks on vehicles
USA TodayJuly 30, 2009
A national campaign against first-time drunken-driving offenders is gaining ground as states and the federal government weigh mandatory use of devices requiring violators to prove their sobriety before their engines start.
Editorial Column: Cars will want proof you're sober
Milwaukee Journal-SentinelJuly 11, 2009
You knew that your government is planning to put a blood-alcohol interlock on your car's ignition, didn't you?
Editorial: Device not needed on new cars
Gadsden TimesJune 25, 2009
The American Beverage Institute is up in arms after Congress released a draft of the highway bill in which the politicians in Washington are taking up the fight against drunken driving.
Editorial: Highway bill is regulatory overreach
Detroit NewsJune 23, 2009
When Congress starts its work Wednesday on the highway reauthorization bill, it should eliminate a proposed measure that would penalize states for failing to require drunken drivers to install ignition interlock technology in their cars, even for first-time offenders.
One too many for the road
Palm Beach PostMay 22, 2009
Automobiles were an amazing technological advance but also became a leading killer of people - not the only example of a lethal glitch. Only after years of highway slaughter did seat belts and air bags start to close the gap.
Mandatory Breathalyzers In Every New Car?
ABC CincinnatiMay 20, 2009
In Ohio, if you are a repeat drunk driving offender, meaning you've had two or more OVI convictions, it's the law that an ignition interlock device is installed in your car.
New York Times Blog Covers ABI Opposition to Universal Interlocks
New York TimesMay 19, 2009
A campaign to stop drunken driving by putting some form of alcohol interlock in every new car is picking up support.
NBC Columbus cites ABI opposition to Ohio first offender bill
NBC ColumbusMay 13, 2009
Ohio lawmakers are looking to toughen the state’s laws on drunk drivers, adding more punishment for first-time offenders.
Debate Heats Up Over Ignition Interlock
CBS ColumbusMay 13, 2009
Opponents and proponents sounded off Wednesday about proposed legislation that would require first-time drunken-driving offenders to install an ignition interlock on each car they drive.
Columbus Dispatch covers ABI opposition to Ohio first offender bill
Columbus DispatchMay 13, 2009
Ohio lawmakers and Mothers Against Drunk Driving want the state to require anyone convicted of a drunken-driving offense to blow into an alcohol tester before his or her car can start - the first step, opponents say, in requiring all drivers to submit to such a test.
CBS Greenville cites ABI opposition to North Carolina first offender bill
CBS GreenvilleMay 13, 2009
A state measure to make it harder for drunk drivers to commit the same crime passed its first speed bump today.
Car Breathalyzer Bill For DUI Offenders Has Opposition
CBS GreenvilleMay 6, 2009
In the state capital, the beverage lobby is trying to stop lawmakers from passing a proposal to require breathalyzer devices installed on cars for all first-time DUI offenders.
ABI Debates Interlocks
NPR-Los AngelesApril 16, 2009
A Democratic assemblyman from Southern California and a restaurant lobbying group are battling over a bill that would require an ignition locking device on cars owned by people convicted of drunk driving. The device measures blood alcohol content. Debate over the bill has heated up after the deaths of Angels baseball pitcher Nick Adenhart and two of his friends who were hit by a drunk driver last week. KPCC's Frank Stoltze reports.
Orange County Register covers ABI opposition to California first offender bill
Orange County RegisterApril 15, 2009
The deaths of Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart and two of his friends could have been prevented had ignition locking devices been required on the vehicles of drunken drivers, lawmakers and activists say.
ABC San Francisco covers ABI opposition to California first offender bill
ABC San FranciscoApril 14, 2009
Tough new legislation targeting drunk drivers could change the way first time offenders are treated. Those convicted of driving under the influence would have to have a locking device on their ignition requiring a breathalyzer test before driving.
San Jose Mercury News covers ABI opposition to California first offender bill
San Jose Mercury NewsApril 13, 2009
When Mary Klotzbach first heard that 22-year-old Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed by a drunken-driving suspect last week, she relived overwhelming anger and pain from her own son's death nearly eight years ago. She spent the night weeping, and wrote a poem.
NBC Columbus cites ABI opposition to interlock bill
NBC ColumbusMarch 23, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Getting convicted for drunk driving could force you to deal with a new way of starting your car.
Bill Would Require Interlocks For First-Time DUIs
The BulletinMarch 19, 2009
State Rep. Paul Clymer, R-145th, of Bucks County, announced yesterday he is reintroducing a bill in the General Assembly to require first-time DUI offenders to have ignition interlocks installed in their vehicles.
House weighs reform of DUI law
Topeka Capital-JournalMarch 4, 2009
Dale Beller’s parents were riding with two good friends in the eastbound lane of Interstate 40 in New Mexico when evil struck.
Breathalyzer Bill Faces Opposition
ABC MarylandMarch 4, 2009
The American Beverage Institute says it is against a bill that could install breathalyzers into the cars of first-time drunk driving offenders.
State House Committee Considers Stricter DUI Punishments
CBS TopekaMarch 4, 2009
A Kansas House committee is considering a bill that would strengthen punishments for people convicted of drunk driving. The bill includes requiring first-time offenders with low blood-alcohol levels to drive cars equipped with breathalyzer ignition interlocks for at least one year.
Is a Breathalyzer Test Enough?
NBC Little RockMarch 3, 2009
Is Arkansas ignoring the root of the drunk driving issue?
Kentucky lawmakers consider device that would keep drunk drivers from starting their cars
Fox LouisvilleFebruary 25, 2009
Some Kentucky lawmakers are considering a bill that would put more restrictions on drunk drivers, including a device that will stop them in their tracks.
Proposed Laws Target Drunk Drivers
CBS HazardFebruary 23, 2009
Lawmakers are considering a proposal to force first-time DUI offenders to install breath-alcohol monitoring devices in their cars, but some say the law would go too far.
Bill in Ky. House targets drunken drivers
Associated PressFebruary 22, 2009
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- People caught driving drunk just once could be forced to install breath-alcohol monitoring devices in their cars, as Kentucky lawmakers consider toughening the state's DUI laws.
Bills target drunken and distracted driving
Fort Worth Star-TelegramFebruary 21, 2009
State lawmakers are filing bills again to toughen rules of the road, including proposals to crack down on cellphone use and drunken driving.
New state DUI law's success rate remains a source of debate
February 8, 2009It's hailed as Illinois' toughest crackdown on drunken drivers since the state lowered the legal blood-alcohol limit to .08 percent more than a decade ago.
Feature on Pennsylvania Interlock Bill
Patriot-NewsJanuary 27, 2009
Melissa Fogel and Joseph G. Heil III should have passed each other on the highway that night, harmlessly and anonymously, just two more strangers headed in opposite directions.
NJ drunken driver ignition lock bill advances
Associated PressJanuary 26, 2009
TRENTON, N.J. - A bill requiring alcohol-sensing ignition locks on the vehicles of most people convicted of drunken driving advanced in the New Jersey Legislature on Monday.
MADD pushing more ignition-block devices in Miss.
Associated PressJanuary 21, 2009
JACKSON, Miss. -- Nearly 21 years after a drunken driver plowed into her family's Honda Civic and killed her parents and sister, Jennifer Sholar said certain sights and sounds still give her vivid flashbacks of the collision.
Another USA Today story covers ABI's position in Ignition Interlock debate
USA TodayMay 29, 2008
Belva Howard didn't know that South Carolina had one of the nation's weakest drunken-driving laws or that 40% of traffic deaths in her state involve legally intoxicated drivers. She didn't know that people suspected of driving under the influence could refuse to take a breath test and risk only a three-month license suspension.