Locking device should be mandatory in Idaho, too

I found an interesting Associated Press article on Jan. 2: "New Ignition Locks Law Aim to Foil Drunk Drivers." It's a timely article so here are some bits and pieces of it.

The article states that MADD "Mothers Against Drunk Drivers have been conducting a nationwide campaign to mandate ignition locks for anyone convicted of drunken driving." Ignition locks are devices that lock the ignition and "prevent engines from starting until the driver blows into the alcohol detectors to prove they're sober."

Starting Jan. 1, five states - Alaska, Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska and Washington - require the devices for first-time convictions of drunken-driving. South Caroline requires the devices for second-time offenders. The device can be mandated for periods of five to 11 months.

New Mexico, Arizona and Louisiana have similar laws and most other states give the judges the right to offer that option to a convicted drunken driver. However, the option is rarely offered because the law needs to mandate the interlocking device.

There is a cost of $80 to install the device and a monthly rental fee of $30 to $80. Yes, a little pricey but it would certainly make the first-time offender think about drinking then driving. The article quotes David Malham, of the Illinois' chapter of MADD, as saying, "Illinois has excellent law enforcement, but the judicial system leaks like a sieve. This law will change the catch and release to one where people are at least caught and tagged."

 I submit to you, Bonner County has excellent law enforcement and all the officers do a fine job of catching drunken drivers but like Illinois is the Bonner County's judicial system a leaky sieve, too? Let law enforcement catch them and let's give the judicial system the authority to tag them by supporting MADD's nationwide campaign in getting this law passed in Idaho. A mandatory interlocking device for first-time DUI offenders. And if offender should try to skirt around blowing in the device by having a sober friend blow for them or by driving someone else's car then it should be straight to jail with a stiff sentence.

The Idaho Chapter of MADD can be contacted at PO Box 44333, Boise, ID 83711 as per Google.

PAMELA MULLIGAN

Sandpoint