Reducing Drunk Driving Fatalities

If it works to stop a tragedy, it is worth doing. This works. It also has the virtue of being about prevention, rather than punishment, so it won't cost taxpayers more for jails that don't work that well.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving, backed by a national association of state highway officials and car manufacturers, will announce here on Monday a campaign to change drunken driving laws in 49 states to require that even first offenders install a device that tests drivers and shuts down the car if it detects alcohol.

Many states already require the devices, known as ignition interlocks, for people who have been convicted several times. Last year New Mexico became the first to make them mandatory after a first offense. With that tactic and others, the state saw an 11.3 percent drop in alcohol-related fatalities last year.

Via NewMexiKen (emphasis added).