Mich. Senate Votes to Require Ignition Devises in Drunk Driving Cases

Michigan is looking to get tougher on drunken drivers.

Legislation approved late Dec. 10 by the state Senate would require drivers with a high blood-alcohol content of 0.15 or more to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle.

The devices require drivers to blow into an instrument that measures alcohol. Vehicles won’t start unless the driver’s blood-alcohol concentration is low.

Drivers would be penalized for not having a device if they were ordered to get one. A “super” drunken driving category of 0.15 percent would be created. That’s almost double the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

The cost of the device could be waived for indigent defendants.

The House soon is expected to send the measures to Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

The drunken driving bills are House Bill 4289 and Senate Bill 1134.

Latest Comments

• December 15, 2008 at 11:26 am

  Doug says:

  Suspend Wudchuck from commenting on any more articles?
• December 12, 2008 at 4:48 am

  wudchuck says:

  well, problem is that person might want to borrow my car or a friends car. neither of those cars would be required to have this interlock. 1) suspend lic min 48 hrs on the fir... read more
• December 12, 2008 at 1:45 am

  CMC says:

  Ohhhh - now I see why tax papers should pay for it. We could provide some of the booze too while we're at it.