DUI drivers could face yearlong ignition lock

State lawmakers are trying to make sure those who drive drunk won’t do it again for at least a year.

The House of Representatives voted Thursday to require that all those convicted of driving under the influence must install an ignition interlock on any vehicle they drive and keep it in place for one year.

The device prevents the car from starting if a breath sample from the motorist shows traces of alcohol — even if the person is not legally intoxicated.

Lawmakers attached the provision to a measure already approved by the Senate that requires the drunkest of drunken drivers to spend at least 45 days behind bars. That includes those whose blood alcohol content is at least 0.20 — more than twice the legal driving limit of 0.08.

That’s 35 days longer than current law.

A second offense within seven years would mean six months in jail.

Sen. Jim Waring, R-Phoenix, sponsor of the legislation, told Capitol Media Services he approves of the interlock amendment added by Rep. David Schapira, D-Tempe. He plans to recommend that senators approve the change when the measure returns to the Senate, possibly as early as next week.

But lawmakers rebuffed another amendment offered by Rep. Ed Ableser, D-Tempe, to also mandate treatment for those whose measured alcohol content was 0.20 or higher.

Ableser said punishment is important, but requiring treatment would help prevent repeat offenses.

But Waring said courts already have the power to order such counseling.

The requirement for an interlock for anyone convicted of drunken driving would give Arizona among the toughest laws in the country.

The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that New Mexico has such a law, with Nevada and Nebraska requiring an interlock as a condition of a motorist being placed on probation.

Schapira said it will help prevent people from becoming the victims of drunken drivers.

“It takes that decision away from the individual who’s been drinking and makes an objective determination of whether they’re capable of driving their car when they may or may not be able to make that determination on their own at their given state of intoxication,” he said.

Thursday’s vote is the latest in a series of measures by legislators to crack down on drunken drivers.

In prior years, legislators lowered the legal driving limit from 0.10 to 0.08. That carries a mandatory one day behind bars.

They also created a new crime of “extreme DUI” for those with a alcohol reading of at least 0.15. These motorists are supposed to be jailed for 30 days, though judges can reduce that to 10 days for those who agree to treatment.

That, however, may become a thing of the past: An already approved Senate measure would remove the power of a judge to reduce the jail term.