Story Published:
Jul 1, 2009 at 6:44 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Jul 2, 2009 at 5:45 PM CDT
SPRINGFIELD -- You might expect to see a Breathalyzer in a police officer's car. You might not expect to see one in your neighbor's vehicle. That may soon be a reality that more Missourians must face because of a newly effective law that affects people convicted of drunken driving.
In 2001, a new law let judges require individuals convicted of two or more alcohol-related driving offenses to pass a Breathalyzer test before starting their cars. Because few judges used that punishment, the Legislature and Gov. Matt Blunt approved a tougher law last year but it didn't go into effect until July 1, 2009. Now judges must impose that sentence for anyone with more than one DWI conviction. They can opt to use it for a first DWI conviction.
For Danny White, starting the car requires more than a turn of the key. He's performed the extra step of blowing into a Breathlyzer every time he's gotten behind the wheel for the last two years.
“For me, it was DWIs,” said White.
After two offenses, a judge ordered White to get the device. Now the Missouri Department of Revenue, which issues drivers licenses, will require all individuals with alcohol-related offenses to have an ignition interlock installed on their vehicles.
"We're expecting 110,000 drivers will be affected in Missouri,” said Steve Polston of Evergreen Ignition Interlock.
Polston is among those preparing for business to pick up.
“We expect by September or October to have a noticeable increase in traffic,” he said.
Each and every client will face the same standard: a .02 percent blood-alcohol limit for the ignition to turn. The legal blood-alcohol limit for drivers in Missouri and most other states is .08 percent.
"The machine is going to prohibit any drinking and driving,” said Polston.
The limit holds -- both to turn the car on and to keep it running. Every few minutes, the machine requires a running retest. If the driver passes, there’s no problem. If he or she fails, however, everyone nearby will know it. The vehicle’s horn will sound off.
"We can see every engine startup, every test taken. It's pretty thorough,” said Polston.
The thorough reports go to the courts every month.
As for White, he says every one of his scans came back clean.
“I’ve learned my lesson,” he said.
Now he gets his reward; while Polston prepares to add new customers, he can cross White off his list.
The cost for the device installation varies. Monitoring runs upwards of $40 a month. Offenders are responsible for those expenses.
