Law would require drivers to prove their sobriety

A bill requiring convicted first-time drunk-drivers to install systems in their vehicles that detect alcohol on the breath is expected to be signed into law soon by Gov. Linda Lingle.

House Bill 981, House Draft 2, Senate Draft 2, Conference Draft 1, would not take effect until July 1, 2010, to allow for resolution of “a number of outstanding issues in the transition to use of ignition interlock devices,” according to the legislation.

And while state Rep. Jimmy Tokioka, D-Lihu‘e-Koloa, said all four of Kaua‘i’s state lawmakers voted for the measure, and he thinks Lingle will sign the legislation into law, he still has concerns about potential “social issues” associated with such a law, particularly revoking the license of a first-time offender that would prohibit him or her from driving to and from work.

Even those convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol (now technically called operating a motor vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, or OVUII) should be allowed to drive to and from work, something not allowed if there is license revocation associated with the first-time offense.

Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. also supports the legislation, he said in a prepared statement.

“It’s always sad when there’s a traffic fatality, but alcohol-related fatalities are particularly tragic because they are avoidable,” he said.

“I am very glad that the state Legislature recently passed a bill that would require anyone arrested for drunk driving for the first time to install an ignition interlock device in their car for a year, at a cost of about $75 a month to the offender, in addition to being put on probation,” Carvalho said.

“I believe that laws like this will help to reduce the amount of alcohol-related fatalities on our roadways,” he said. “I also urge residents and visitors to remain vigilant and not allow anyone to drive who’s had too much alcohol to drink.”