Judges would have another hammer to enforce drunk driving rules under a House passed provision that requires extremely intoxicated drivers to use ignition interlock devices.
The House passed bill would require the devices for anyone who drives with a blood alcohol limit of 0.15 or more. (That is about five glasses of wine in two hours for a woman who weighs 120 lbs, according to this online BAC calculator.) The bill would also require the devices for drivers with a second conviction within five years or any driver under 21.
During the House floor debate Del. Benjamin F. Kramer, a Montgomery County Democrat, argued that the House bill is too weak. Kramer wanted the devices to be mandatory for anyone show a BAC of .08 , a position supported by advocates like MADD. (That would be three glasses of wine in two hours for our 120 lb woman.)
"I think we are being shortchanged," Kramer said during the House debate.
Vallario disagreed saying the legislation would give Maryland some of the toughest anti-drunk driving bills in the country. However, 11 other states require the interlock on any drunk driving conviction, according to fiscal analysts.
A different interlock bill received initial approval in the senate on Tuesday, though significant differences between the two pieces of legislation exist.