Breathalyzers in Cars

When Karen was killed 13 years ago, DWI was treated much differently in Erie County than it is today. Back then, there was no device that would prevent you from starting your vehicle if you had too much to drink. But now, if you're convicted of driving under the influence - both first-time and multiple offenders - you may need to install a breathalyzer in your vehicle.



Last month while speaking at a DWI Victim Impact Panel, I met a young man who was convicted of his first DWI and he showed me the device. Needless to say, it's another deterrent for him and anyone else facing a DWI conviction, to never drink and drive again.

CAID salutes the people at the STOP DWI office for helping to implement the vehicle breathalyzer policy in Erie County.

Just the other day I was speaking to a couple of Erie County Probation Officers and they agreed that "times are changing" when it comes to the penalties facing DWI offenders. Erie County now has a felony DWI unit that checks on offenders at all times of the day via home visits. More officers are being dedicated to watch over DWI offenders.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Unfortunately there's one obstacle that remains the same over the years though, "It all depends on the judges." There are still those town judges who seem to think that DWI is not a serious crime. We can only hope that more of these men and women will realize that "DWI is dangerous and deadly" and these vehicle breathalyzers do save lives.

Now some are pushing for alcohol detection devices in all cars. Just last month, this article was published in USA Today. What do I think? It probably won't happen anytime soon, but as someone who lost her little sister to a drunk driver, it can only help keep our roads safe.

Until next time...

Deanna