Bill would force interlocks for first-time drunken drivers

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democratic legislators are proposing a bill that would require all first-time drunken drivers to use ignition interlock devices.

Currently first-time drunken drivers must use an ignition interlock device for a year or join a sobriety program for a year if their blood alcohol level was 0.15 percent or higher during the incident.

Rep. Christine Sinicki and Sen. Chris Larson’s bill would require judges to order first-timers to use ignition interlocks for a year regardless of blood alcohol level. The sobriety program option would be eliminated.

Larson aide Nick Janis says an interlock device would be more effective at stopping drunken driving than sobriety programs.