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A telling attack on mandating ignition interlocks for all drunk drivers

By Douglas A. Berman

A local Tennessee paper has this interesting new commentary which is headlined "MADD's interlock proposal lumps all drinkers in same category."  The piece discusses and attacks a legislative proposal in Tennessee that would call for a specific sentencing response to all drunk driving.  Here are excerpts from the commentary: This week, Mothers Against Drink Driving (MADD) voiced support for a bill to require ignition interlocks for all drunken driving offenders in Tennessee.  And while at first glance it might seem like a good way to get drunks off the road, readers should know that there is an important argument to be made against the mandatory use of these devices in the cars of all offenders.... [T]he proposed law supported by MADD would force judges to order low-BAC, first-time offenders ? even those just one sip over the legal limit (and occasionally under the limit) ? to install interlocks...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on February 18, 2010 (boomark / email).