Ignition Interlock 4 Alaska

House Bill 19 – In a Nutshell

House Bill 19, having been through the House last session, has emerged as a bill that would greatly expand the use of ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders in Alaska. It is currently assigned to the Senate Finance Committee and may be considered as early as January when the session begins. Briefly, here are the specifics:

Judicial implications – An Ignition Interlock Device (IID) is required by court order for a period following an offender’s period of revocation and during the period of probation. The length of time is contingent upon the number of the offense (first, second, third etc.). This requirement applies to convictions for both DUI and for Refusal. (AS 28.35.030 and 28.35.032)

Administrative implications – An Ignition Interlock Limited License is available for DUI offenders during the period of driver’s license revocation. It requires the offender to drive only those vehicles equipped with an IID and does not decrease the period of revocation. The Ignition Interlock Limited License is available only for those offenders who have had their licenses revoked for a misdemeanor DUI.

Additionally, the bill:

· makes it an offense to tamper with the device, or to knowingly rent or loan a non-IID equipped vehicle to an offender,

· requires municipal ordinances to comply with the ignition interlock requirements, and

· exempts from the ignition interlock requirements those offenders living in communities also exempt from motor vehicle liability insurance [AS 28.22.011(b)].

That’s it, in a nutshell. This bill affords the Alaska Legislature a tremendous opportunity to make strides in the battle against drunk driving. Both MADD and the National Highway Traffic Safety people endorse the expanded use of ignition interlock devices. A substantial and reliable body of data exists that documents that the use of ignition interlock devices reduces the recidivism rate of offenders by 65% and more. This means that fewer people are on the roads driving drunk and the highways are safer.