Gov. Hogan expands Ignition Interlock program

The Maryland Ignition Interlock program is an alternative to suspending the driving privileges of drunk drivers.

11,000 people in the state of Maryland are currently participating in the program, but new changes could mean that number could escalate.

In its 26th year, Maryland’s “Ignition Interlock” program requires those convicted of drunk driving to have a breathalyzer device installed in their car.

Wired into the vehicle the device prevents the driver from starting their car if it detects alcohol.

“We’ve seen many people have ignition interlocks installed in their vehicles,” Said Lt. Tim Robinson with the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office.

On Friday, Governor Larry Hogan announced an extension of the interlock program, making these devices available to even more offenders.

“This option will now be available to individuals in that .08-.15 range that would allow them to drive them to anywhere that they needed to go.”

Prior to this change, only drivers convicted of driving with a blood-alcohol-concentration of 0.15 or higher could opt-in to the state’s ignition interlock program.

The governor’s changes now allows first-time, lesser offenders to participate in the program for 45 days in order to keep their full licenses.

Previously, those offenders would have either lost driving privileges or were forced to operate on a suspended license which only allows them to drive to places like work or school.

“You have the expanded group of people that are now going to be eligible and potentially using this ignition interlock device,” Lt. Robinson said, “It’s going to do nothing but help.”

In Maryland, there are nearly 8,000 impaired driving crashes each year, 170 of which are fatal.

Governor Hogan’s rule changes now puts Maryland in compliance with National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards.