Ignition interlock bill would apply to all drunk drivers

Supporters of putting ignition interlocks in the vehicles of all drunk drivers in Maryland are moving quickly to underscore how it could save lives.

Del. Ben Kramer and Sen. Jamie Raskin held a news conference Wednesday with Lisa Spicknall, the state program director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Donna Beck, a member of the Maryland MADD advisory council, tells 47ABC there are twenty-five* other states have ignition interlocks for all offenders.

“Our message is: what is the delay? Why not?” Explains Beck, “25 other states are seeing a reduction in drunk driving deaths and we need this legislation to protect Maryland citizens.”

They were joined by Capt. Tom Didone, a Montgomery County police officer and a colleague of Officer Noah Leotta, who was killed in December while working on a driving under the influence assignment.

The measure would require all convicted drunk drivers with a blood alcohol level of .08 or greater to have an ignition interlock. Now, Maryland law requires ignition interlock for drivers with a BAC of .15, nearly twice the legal limit.

According to Delegate Kramer’s office, this bill is still in the drafts committee.

All bills must officially be filed by February 11th.

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