LANSING – A plan sponsored by State Representative Bob Constan (D-Dearborn Heights) that cracks down on extremely drunk drivers and keeps repeat offenders off the road has passed both the Michigan House and Senate and now heads to the Governor to be signed into law.
"Drunk drivers are dangerous, and this plan will allow us to take real action against those who pose a serious threat to the safety of Michigan drivers," Constan said. "Alcohol ignition interlock devices have proven to be an effective tool in the battle against drunk driving, but only one out of ten convicted drunk drivers currently has an interlock on their vehicle. It's time Michigan takes action to crack down on extreme drunk driving in order to keep our roads and residents safe."
Constan's plan will keep drunk drivers who are arrested for operating a vehicle with blood-alcohol content (BAC) of at least 0.15 and repeat offenders off the road by requiring them to have ignition interlock devices placed on their vehicles. Interlock devices connect to a car's ignition and check for the presence of alcohol in the driver. The driver must blow into the machine in order to start the car and continue to periodically blow into the device to continue operating the car. If the interlock device senses alcohol, the car will not start or it will shut the car off.
According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 58 percent of alcohol-related traffic fatalities involve drivers with a BAC of 0.15 or higher. MADD also says that extremely drunk drivers are 382 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than a sober driver.
Constan's plan passed both the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. Michigan will join 39 other states that have additional sanctions for drivers convicted of driving with a high BAC.
"Innocent lives are on the line every time a drunk driver starts their car and hits the road," Constan said. "This is an essential plan that toughens penalties for drunk drivers and their reckless actions. I am pleased that my colleagues in the House and Senate reached across the aisle to approve this plan and put the protection of Michigan drivers first."