The state Senate is considering a bill that would give courts the option to allow offenders to forgo installment of ignition interlock devices — essentially breathalyzers installed in vehicles — if they participate in a sobriety monitoring program.
Proponents say the option to forgo the interlock encourages participation in such programs.
According to the office of Fond du Lac Republican Sen. Rick Gudex, ignition interlock devices currently cost participants about $2 per day, and removing that financial obligation would make the programs more appealing.
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Gudex is the Senate sponsor of the bill. His office also pointed out recent reports showing ignition interlock devices have not been installed in many cases in Wisconsin, despite judges’ orders. According to Department of Transportation statistics, 54,350 devices were ordered by courts over the past several years, though only 30,750 were installed.
However, advocacy group Mothers Against Drunk Driving contends the devices are indispensable.
“This is taking away a public safeguard,” Frank Harris, director of state government affairs for the organization, said of the bill. “MADD believes an interlock is very much needed because it’s the only tool that can separate drinking from driving on the spot.”
According to MADD, since July 2010, ignition interlock devices have stopped 156,000 attempts to drive drunk with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or greater in Wisconsin.
The bill has already passed the Assembly. It is scheduled to go before a Senate committee on Tuesday.
The Senate is expected to return to Madison on March 15 for its final votes of the year.
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