Mass. Ignition Interlock Bill Gains Momentum
Massachusetts Senate Bill 1925, which would require DUI offenders to use the ignition interlock device appears to be gaining momentum. According to the Weymouth News, last month Smart Start, Inc., one of the authorized suppliers of Ignition Interlock Devices in Massachusetts,conducted a demonstration of the device at the Hingham Police Department.
A District Court Judge, prosecutor, police officials, politicians, and numerous supporters of the proposed Massachusetts ignition interlock law attended the demonstration. Massachusetts Senator Robert Hedlund filed the new interlock bill on behalf of MADD.
This well attended demonstration shows that there is considerable support for Senate Bill 1925, which would mandate all Massachusetts DUI first offenders to use the ignition interlock device in any vehicle which they lease, operate, or own. Although the Registry of Motor Vehicles does a commendable job administering and operating the ignition interlock program, the interlock device itself is flawed. There are numerous problems with false positive alcohol results which are caused by contamination or malfunction. Nevertheless, the interlock bill is almost certain to pass. Lawmakers and supporters to tough drunk driving laws are not at all sensitive to the difficulties which users of the device routinely encounter. A similar ignition interlock bill was recently enacted in New York.
Unlike breathalyzers, which use infrared spectrometry to determine blood alcohol concentration, the ignition interlock device uses much less reliable fuel cell technology. This results in many food products, drinks, and other common and innocuous chemicals registering as alcohol.
Toughening Melanie’s law by requiring OUI first offenders to use the interlock device may have an unintended consequence. First offense OUI defendants who might have otherwise “plead out,” may now take the drunk driving case to trial. A not guilty verdict would save the Massachusetts OUI defendant from the expense and inconvenience associated with the ignition interlock device.
