ABI opposes ignition interlock bill

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Not everyone supports mandatory ignition interlock. The American Beverage Institute (ABI) says Mothers Against Drunk Driving's proposal targets the wrong people.

“By mandating breathalyzers for first time offenders, regardless of their BAC level, this proposal ignores the root cause of today’s drunk driving problem—hard core alcohol abusers,” said ABI spokeswoman Sarah Longwell.

Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that the average blood alcohol content (BAC) of a drunk driver in a fatal car crash is 0.18% -- twice the legal limit. Additionally, a NHTSA administrator has said that today’s problem is “by far and away” made up of “those who have alcohol use disorders.” Former MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) president Katherine Prescott has made similar statements, saying that the drunk driving problem has been reduced to “a hard core of alcoholics who do not respond to public appeal.”

ABI's primary objection seems to be that MADD's proposal could treat a first time offender barely over the legal limit the same way as a drunk driver with prior convictions whose BAC is several times the legal limit.