Augusta, ME (PRWEB) July 02, 2013
Maine Governor Paul LaPage signed into law lifesaving legislation which hugely incentivizes the use of ignition interlocks for all initial-time convicted drunk drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or greater to help prevent future offenses. With the passage of this law, Maine joins a lengthy list of 19 other states to pass all offender ignition interlock legislation, bringing the total number of men and women now protected from repeat drunk driving offenders to higher than 115 million.

As part of the Maine legislature, I make every work to boost the security of our residents, my neighbors. I am proud to have been instrumental in the passage of the Ignition Interlock Law and want to thank Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) for their commitment to eliminate drunk driving and end this one hundred % preventable crime, mentioned Representative Bob Nutting. With this legislation we are generating safer roads across Maine. My hope is that we will soon see a time when drinking and driving are a point of the past, Nutting continued.

Starting December 1, 2013, when the new law goes into effect, a very first-time offender can either decide on a six-month license suspension with no driving privileges or a 30-day license suspension followed by 150 days on an ignition interlock. This is a wonderful day for the folks of Maine, who are now safer on their roadways, said MADD National President Jan Withers. In addition, we are now 1 state closer to the passage of legislation in each and every state requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers.

AAA supports the use of ignition interlock devices for very first-time offenders, as they are an powerful alternative for ensuring alcohol consumption doesnt mix with driving. AAA Northern New England commends the Maine legislature for their passage of this bill and their commitment to the security of Maine roadway users. Requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted offenders has established to be a lot more powerful than other DUI sanctions and can lessen alcohol-impaired driving crashes and save lives, stated Pat Moody, AAA Northern New England.

Ignition interlocks are leased by the convicted drunk drivers, with an typical every day expense of $ 2.50. Under LD 1260, if an offender cannot afford an ignition interlock, the device is offered at a less costly cost. An OUI offender applying for an interlock have to also pay a $ 50 administrative fee to the state.

The use of ignition interlocks is a huge step forward in our goal to finish drunk driving on Maines roads. These devices have the power to save lives and aid offenders at the exact same time, added Nutting. Convicted drunk drivers who have an interlock can preserve their jobs, keep going to college, and at the exact same time, maintain the public safe.

Research show that a 1st-time convicted drunk driver is not a 1st-time offender, but rather it is simply the 1st time they have been caught. In reality, initial-time offenders have driven drunk an typical of 80 instances before they are convicted.

The passage of ignition interlock laws is a important element of MADDs Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving