DATE: March 3, 2009
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBJECT: Support for AB 91 – Ignition Interlock Devices

SUMMARY:
Driving while under the influence of alcohol continues to be a major contributor to traffic crashes and deaths in San Diego County. It is estimated that in 2007 alone, almost 13,000 people nationwide lost their lives in crashes involving a drunk driver. It is imperative that we as a County do all that we can to curtail the senseless loss of life and injury that comes from irresponsible individuals who decide to drive while under the influence of alcohol. Promising new technology in the form of ignition interlock devices have emerged to assist our local law enforcement in fighting this uphill battle against drunk driving. Ignition interlock devices have shown to be effective in stopping those who choose to drink and drive where it counts: before they get behind the wheel. In fact, studies have shown that ignition interlock devices can decrease repeat DUI offenses by 64%.

Today, I join the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in requesting your support of California State Assembly Bill 91 (Feuer). This bill would create a pilot project in four counties in California requiring that a person convicted of a single DUI offense install a certified ignition interlock device on each vehicle that the person owns or operates.

This action will prepare a letter, to be signed by the Chairwoman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, stating San Diego County’s vigorous support for California State Assembly Bill 91.

RECOMMENDATION:
Chairwoman Dianne Jacob:
Direct the Chief Administrative Officer to draft a letter for signature by the Chairwoman to members of the San Diego Delegation, the Administration, the County’s Sacramento Representative and other interested parties in support of AB 91 (Feuer), related to mandatory installation of ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders.

FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this action

BACKGROUND:
Driving while under the influence of alcohol continues to be a major contributor to traffic crashes and deaths in San Diego County. It is estimated that in 2007 alone almost 13,000 people lost their lives in crashes involving a drunk driver. It is imperative that we as a County do all that we can to curtail the senseless loss of life and injury that comes from irresponsible individuals who decide to drive while under the influence of alcohol. Promising new technology has emerged that has shown to be effective in stopping those who choose to drink and drive where it counts: before they get behind the wheel.

An ignition interlock device is a breath test device linked to a vehicle’s ignition system. When a driver wishes to start his or her vehicle, he or she must first blow into the device. The vehicle will not start unless the driver’s alcohol concentration is below a pre-set blood alcohol level. Studies have shown that interlock ignition devices can decrease repeat DUI offenses by 64%.

The intent of Assembly Bill 91 is to prevent convicted DUI offenders from being able to cause more unnecessary vehicular-related deaths and damage on our roadways by preventing them from operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The bill would form a pilot project in four California Counties that would make it mandatory for all DUI offenders to install an ignition interlock device on each vehicle that the person owns or operates.

The system will ask for more breath samples at random times after the vehicle has started and if the driver fails, the car's horn will sound and the lights will flash until the automobile comes to a halt and the key is removed from the ignition.

Today, I join Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) in requesting your support of California State Assembly Bill 91 (Feuer).

Respectfully submitted,

 

DIANNE JACOB
Chairwoman