Last year, New Jersey enacted a law requiring second-conviction drunk drivers to have an ignition interlock device, which forces a driver to provide an alcohol-free breath sample in order to start the car. The Secaucus Town Council passed a resolution recently encouraging the Municipal Court judge to take advantage of the authority to sentence first-time offenders.
"This resolution is to encourage our Municipal Court judge to utilize this device for first-time offenders as well," said Town Attorney Frank Leanza.
Although the technology has been around since the 1960s, it has recently become more accurate and easier to install and operate.
The device, built by Smart Start Inc., is about the same size as an old style cell phone, five inches tall, two and a half inches wide and one and a half inch thick. It is attached to a tube, similar to a phone wire, that sticks out of the dashboard. The driver blows and hums into the tube. The humming is to insure that the driver doesn't use a balloon or air compressor to avoid breathing.
Frank Mancuso, president of the Secaucus Board of Health, said that Smart Start devices have prevented over 87 million starts over the last 12 years.
In some states, the ignition interlock is used in lieu of license suspension for first-time offenders, enabling the driver to experience less disruption in his or her routine. In other states, multiple offenses lead to vehicle forfeiture. In New York City, a car can be seized for a first offense.
According to Mayor Dennis Elwell, Secaucus has had more than their fair share of drunk driving stops, largely due to the presence of heavy trafficked roads like Route 3 and the New Jersey Turnpike.
"We have an extremely busy court," said Elwell. "What we are attempting to do is give the judge another tool and option to begin to look at the serious nature of drunk driving and the impact it has."
According to Leanza, Oakland, N.J. is the only other township in the state with a similar law.
A study conducted by the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles found that out of 7,900 total traffic fatalities between 1989 and 1998, 34 percent were alcohol-related. The study said that alcohol-related fatalities have decreased as attitudes towards drinking and driving have changed over the last 20 years. Strong enforcement also helps; currently, over 75 percent of people arrested for driving under the influence were convicted.
First-time offenders must be sentenced to six months to one year of driving privilege suspension, a $250 to $400 fine and a maximum of 30 days imprisonment.
After driving privileges are reinstated, the ignition interlock device can be imposed for six months to a year.
Drivers are expected to pay for the device and installation themselves. Fees average $300 for installation and $30 a month for upkeep.
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