February 8, 2007

OLYMPIA…  In Washington state, DUI offenders are required to have an ignition interlock device installed in their cars.  The device reads a person's blood alcohol level and if alcohol is detected, the engine will not start.  But there’s a problem: The state is finding that many DUI offenders never bother to get the device installed.  

State Sen. Dale Brandland, R-Whatcom County, wants to change that.  Brandland yesterday introduced a bill that states that those who fail to comply with the ignition interlock requirement and are caught by a police officer would face mandatory vehicle impoundment. 

In addition, the bill proposes to waive monetary fines, $350-$500, associated with first-time DUI offenses if the offender provides written verification by an ignition interlock company that the device has been installed in the offender’s car.  

“This bill encourages compliance with the ignition interlock laws with a financial incentive and through tougher enforcement,” Brandland said.  “It’s a two-pronged approach that I think will be very effective in ultimately protecting lives.  It’s a public safety issue.”   

Brandland, a former police officer and Whatcom Country sheriff, says his bill, Senate Bill 5944, was something he has been thinking about since last summer when he heard about the repeat DUI offender case of Susan West.   

“The ignition interlock device has been proven to be an effective tool to reduce drunk driving,” Brandland said.  “What I want to do is make sure they are getting installed, and send a message to those who aren’t getting them installed.”   

According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), interlocks have been shown to reduce repeat of drunk driving offenses by 50 percent to 90 percent compared to those individuals who were not assigned an interlock device. 

Meanwhile, Department of Licensing records as compared to industry numbers show a gap between the number of people who are required to have the device and the number of cars that actually have them installed. 

Under current law, a police officer can impound a driver’s vehicle if the driver is arrested for driving under the influence or driving while his or her license is suspended and/or revoked.

SB 5944 would amend that law to include when a driver is cited for driving without an ignition interlock device.  The law would also make the impound mandatory. 

In addition, the bill would allow a police officer to arrest the individual without a warrant, something that is already permitted in other situations such as a reckless driving, driving under the influence, and driving with a suspended or revoked license.   

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 Sen. Brandland is Republican caucus whip and represents Washington’s 42^nd District, which includes Bellingham, Lynden and Blaine.   

For more information contact Catherine Trinh (360) 786-7503 or trinh.catherine@leg.wa.gov