Intoxalock calls for strengthening DUI enforcement efforts after gubernatorial signing of Senate File 444
DES MOINES, Iowa, April 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Governor Branstad recently signed into law Senate File 444 allowing repeat impaired-driving offenders to participate in a 24/7 Sobriety Program. Intoxalock, a leader in alcohol monitoring and DUI prevention methods, supports this law and strongly encourages additional legislative action to further strengthen Iowa's DUI statute.
"While the new law is a good first step, we urge the legislature to implement additional measures to improve traffic safety," said Kimberly Williams, CEO of Intoxalock. "We agree with the findings of The Governor's Task Force, which recommended additional, more effective methods to prevent impaired driving."
In the Iowa Statewide Impaired Driving Plan, the Governor's Task Force recommended additional monitoring of DUI offenders that use an interlock device, or in-car breathalyzer. Specifically, repeated attempts to drive while under the influence would result in an extension of the required time that a driver must continue using an interlock device. The monitoring of failed attempts to start a car and then extending interlock device installation time periods are considered best practices that are used in many states.
"Iowa is clearly moving in the right direction," said Williams. "Implementing the additional recommendations of the Governor's Task Force would place Iowa among those states with best-in-class DUI safety legislation."
"Implementing strong DUI laws is only one part of the equation to keep roads safe," Williams explained, "Our law enforcement agencies need the resources to implement those laws. Even within Iowa, the differences between DUI enforcement by county is alarming. For example, after adjusting for population, Dallas County makes 45 percent fewer OWI arrests than Polk County. As in other states, we encourage the Iowa legislature to increase the funding to implement stronger DUI enforcement efforts and thereby improve the safety of all drivers."
Currently, the recent analysis of Iowa Judicial Branch data, conducted by the Des Moines Register, shows nearly 20 percent of Iowa DUI offenders, more than 23,400, were charged more than once with intoxicated driving during a12-year period. The Register's analysis also found that Iowa's sentencing laws for drivers repeatedly caught driving under the influence are more lenient than in many other states.
About Intoxalock
Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, Intoxalock (http://www.Intoxalock.com) developed its state-of-the-art ignition interlock device in conjunction with researchers from Iowa State University. Recently celebrating their 23rd anniversary in the alcohol monitoring business, Intoxalock currently services clients that are legally required to install an IID or home alcohol-monitoring unit in 39 states across the nation, in addition to voluntary clients in all other states. In the last 10 years, the ignition interlock industry has grown three-fold and is expected to continue as drunk driving legislation strengthens.
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SOURCE Intoxalock
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