Ignition interlock bill pronounced dead
House Judiciary Committee Joseph F. Vallario Jr. has just pronounced a bill that would have required an ignition interlock device on the vehicles of those convicted of drunk driving dead for the 2010 session.
Vallario convened a voting session of the committee at 8:30 p.m. and distributed a memorandum saying he had been unable to reach an agreement with the sponsor and advocates of the legislation, the No. 1 priority of MADD this year.
"We did everything we could to try to resolve it," he told the committee. "Unfortunately, it did not work out." He did not put the question to a committee vote.
The legislation that passed the Senate unanimously would have affected all persons convicted of driving under the influence, which is defined as having blood alcohol of .08 percent or more. Vallario said 27 states have automatic ignition interlock requirements for drivers with BAC measurements of .15 or more.
He said he and his allies had offered to lower that level to .12 and to also include subsequent offenders and those under 21. MADD and other advocates
Vallario, a Prince George's County Democrat, said he was disappointed a deal could not be reached.
Comments
It is good that this bill did not not pass. Under current law, Judges are free to impose the ignition interlock as a condition of probation when they see that it is appropriate. To impose it across the board is heavy-handed and unnecessary. Many first offenders, regardless of B.A.C., simply do not require it. There is too much in the way of politics behind increasingly draconian drunk driving proposed laws. The laws now in place in Maryland and the Judges who pass judgment under them do an admirable job. If it is not broken, please don't fix it . . . .
Posted by: Warren | April 15, 2010 8:05 AM
The above commenter's response and Mr. Vallario inaction on tougher DUI legislation in Md. is "dead" wrong!!!
The most important way to deter DUI is via interlocks and stiffer penalties for DUI. DUI causes needless deaths and injuries every day in Maryland and in this country. A number of states realize this. Unfortunately both Maryland and Virginia are living in the 1900's and their legilslators like Mr. Vallario are either on the take or have past DUI problems themselves. Or they make their living defending DUI offenders - hardly an unbiased legislator. Where I work that is a clear conflict of interest and people like Vallario would have to recuse themselves from sitting on such well-intentioned legislation. My only hope is that the idiots who block such legislation will experience a death in their family due to a DUI offender. Then maybe they will see the light! This debate should be about passing stiffer DUI laws and penalizing any offender severely -even the first time!!! The system is broken and much too lenient re: DUI. Shame on Maryland (and Virginia for not doing the right thing here.
As a result of people like Vallario, needless deaths and injuries will continue to occur. May the almighty take no pity on their souls!!!!
Posted by: Howard Katz | April 25, 2010 9:03 AM