Malloy Signs New Law Expanding Use of Interlocking Devices in DUI Cases

By Vincent Salzo

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy officially signed into law a new bill that expands the use of ignition interlocking devices on the vehicles of drivers that have been convicted of driving drunk after the first offense in a ceremony Monday at the Fairfield Police Department.

Malloy was joined by a bipartisan group of lawmakers and public safety officials, including representatives from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

“This ignition interlock requirement is one of several more stringent penalties and measures we are implementing to combat and reduce the kinds of irresponsible behaviors — like impaired, distracted and reckless driving — that inevitably lead to crashes, injuries and death on our roads and highways,” Malloy said in a press release. “With the passage of this law, we have taken an important step towards protecting drivers, passengers and pedestrians alike.”

An ignition interlock is a device about the size of a cell phone that is wired into the ignition system of a vehicle. A convicted drunk driver must blow into the device in order to start their vehicle, according to the press release, and if they have a measurable amount of alcohol in their system, the vehicle will not start.

Fairfield Police Chief Gary MacNamara told the Connecticut Post that the department has made 78 DUI arrests this year, which accounts to one every two days, and through “proper enforcement, education and effective legislation, which we are seeing being signed here today, we can stop DUIs from occurring.”

The new law, which goes into effect July 1, 2015, was passed by the General Assembly during the last legislative sessions and affects penalties imposed when a person is administratively found to have violated drunk driving laws or is convicted of DUI.

Trumbull State Reps. Tony Hwang and Dave Rutigliano hailed the signing of the legislation.

“This is a positive step towards changing public policy on how Connecticut treats drunk drivers,” Hwang said. “We must not forget drinking and driving not only affects the people who perpetrate the crime but the possible victims and their families. It’s about improving the lives of our entire community. I am a big supporter of the MADD youth ambassador program, which empowers teens to not drink before 21 or ride in a car with someone who has been drinking. ”


In 2011, Hwang supported legislation requiring ignition interlock devices for repeat offenders for drunk driving. The latest statistics show that alcohol related traffic fatalities in CT were reduced by nearly 10 percent since the passage of that bill. Expanding the program is good public policy for CT.

“I am proud to have voted for this common-sense law,” Rep. Rutigliano said following the signing. “Drunk driving causes far too many deaths and accidents in Connecticut and across the country, and I am in favor of any steps we can take to help save lives. This law, which prevents even first-time offenders from driving if they have alcohol in their system, will do just that. Updating the 2011 law is a simple example of good public policy.”

Specifically, the law:

Reduces the license suspension period for all administrative per se violations to 45 days, but imposes ignition interlock requirements after the suspension ends;

Eliminates the 90-day waiting period for a special operator’s permit for a first administrative per se violation for refusing to submit to a blood alcohol content (BAC) test;

Changes the required license suspension period for someone who fails to use an IID as required;

Allows the DMV commissioner to impose IID requirements on Connecticut residents following an out-of-state DUI conviction that occurs within 10 years of a previous DUI conviction in Connecticut or another state; and

Decreases, in some cases, the suspension period for drivers under age 21 who are convicted of DUI for the second time.

Janice Margolis, the executive director of MAAD Connecticut, said that she expect the new law to save lives in the state.

“MADD CT is very pleased to join 24 other states to sign into law an all offender ignition interlock device statue with Governor Malloy and LT Governor Wyman,” she said in a press release. “Research from the CDC indicates that first time offenders have driven drunk at least 80 times before they are arrested. Ignition Interlock Devices are effective in reducing repeat drunk driving offenses by 67 percent.”

(Photo: Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signs new bill into law at the Fairfield Police Department on Monday. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Governor’s Facebook page.)