A Breathalyzer in Every Car
New Mexico's congress has passed a bill that would require cars to be fitted with a breathalyzer device that locks the ignition if the driver is over the legal limit. If this thing becomes law, remind me to bring a dental dam and some sanitary wipes if I rent a car in New Mexico.
(1) "ignition interlock device" means a device that regulates the operation of a motor vehicle by measuring an operator's blood alcohol level before allowing the operator to start the vehicle and that periodically tests the operator's blood alcohol level while he operates the vehicle... (emphasis mine)
How exactly would that work? Now you'll have to put down your coffee, hang up your cell phone, put out your cigarette, stop fiddling with the radio, and shift gears, all while some "iginition interlock device" is attempting to get a reading off you? Well, at least it'll be another accessory for the aftermarket companies to latch on to. "Dude, is that a NEON breathalyzer? Suh-weeeet."
Screw that, I'm movin' to Quebec so I can separate from Canada.
andrew 19 Feb 2004