State lawmakers are considering new legislation that some believe will dramatically reduce drunk driving accidents in Georgia.  If passed, Senate Bill 41 would require any convicted drunk driver who has a child passenger in the vehicle to install an ignition interlock device. However, State Senator Donzella James (D-College Park) would like to see the ignition interlock requirement extended to all convicted drunk drivers.
 
An ignition interlock device (IID) is a piece of equipment that is similar to a breathalyzer.  The IID is installed on the dashboard of a DUI offender’s vehicle.   The motor vehicle cannot be started until the driver exhales into the device; if the breath-alcohol concentration analyzed result is greater than the programmed blood alcohol concentration (0.02% or 0.04%), the device will prevent the engine of the car from being started.  To prevent fraud, the IID requires breath samples and random intervals after the car has started.
 
One-third of traffic accident deaths are caused by drunk drivers.  In February, the CDC announced that repeat DUI offenses were reduced by 67 percent when ignition interlocks were required for all convicted drunk drivers.
 
If you lost a loved one to a drunk driver in Georgia, Atlanta DUI Injury attorney Shane Smith can help.  Mr. Smith works to protect the rights of families who have experienced a DUI death and to get them compensation for their tragic loss. To learn more, contact Shane Smith Law at 770-HURT-999.