House Republican Press Release

February 1, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Klarides Proposes Installation of Ignition Interlock Devices for Drunk Driving Offenders

HARTFORD- State Representative Themis Klarides (R-114) has proposed legislation this session of the Connecticut General Assembly that would require judges to mandate the installation of an ignition interlock device in the motor vehicle of an individual who is a third-time offender of the state’s drunk driving laws.

Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices (sometimes called BAIIDs) are designed to prevent drivers from starting their car when the driver’s breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) is at or over a certain level, ordinarily 0.025 BAC. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), thirty-seven states have passed some kind of legislation authorizing the use of these devices in the vehicles of offenders. 

“There is significant evidence that using these interlock devices significantly reduces the likelihood of repeat offense,” said Representative Klarides.  “Interlock programs in other states have demonstrated statistically that they reduce the risk of an alcohol traffic violation by roughly 65%.”

Klarides noted a report from last year from a study in Maryland involving 1,380 repeat alcohol offenders.  Of those, a control group was given no ignition interlock devices, and another had the devices installed on their vehicles.  Only 2.4% of the group who had interlock devices were re-arrested, while 6.7% of the control group were re-arrested. 

“Our goal is to keep drunk drivers off of Connecticut roads,” said Klarides.  “Someone who is a repeat offender has been identified as a real risk.  By requiring judges to have these devices installed in a repeat offender’s car can greatly reduce the likelihood of further repeat offenses, keep more drunk drivers off the roads, and ultimately save lives.”

The bill, HB 6822, An Act Concerning the Installation of Ignition Interlock Devices, has been referred to the General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Judiciary.