State Senate approves bill for in-car alcohol testing

The state Senate passed a bill Tuesday that would require repeat OUI offenders to install an ignition lock in their cars that prevents the engine from starting if they have too much alcohol on their breath.

A news release described the technology behind ignition interlock devices:

The analyzer monitors the concentration of alcohol in the breath of any person who attempts to start the motor vehicle by using the ignition system. The device prevents the vehicle from starting unless the person provides a breath sample with a concentration of alcohol that is below a preset level.

“This important tool has been shown to successfully reduce repeat drunk driving offenses in other states, and we hope to repeat those results here,” said Senator Lynn Bromley (D-Cumberland County), the bill’s sponsor, in a news release.

The bill goes to the Governor for his signature.