County unable to enforce ignition interlocks in OWI violators' vehicles

A state law requires drunken-driving prevention devices to be placed in vehicles of repeat offenders, yet Monroe County offers no such service. \nThe law the Indiana General Assembly passed requiring Ignition Interlock Systems, or Breathalyzers, took effect July 1, 2004. The county, however, still does not have the program available for local judges to hand down with sentencing.\nThe systems require drivers to blow in the Breathalyzers before the car will start, according to www.intoxalock.com. They must blow every few minutes to continue operating the vehicle. The system allows repeat offenders to keep their licenses, which they would otherwise forfeit. The county appears to not have the resources or the funding to offer this program. \nAccording to an Aug. 27, 2004, Indiana Daily Student article, a lack of local vendors makes it less likely the county will invest in the program.\nMore than a year later, the city still lacks vendors. \nThe Vehicle Ignition Interlock program ran into other speed bumps. Sheriff Steve Sharp explained that even with a local vendor, most of the people who would qualify for an Ignition Interlock System can't afford installation and maintenance of the equipment.\n"They are expensive; we would have to chase down people to get their money," Sharp said. "Most of these people will not have the money to pay for it."\nSharp also expressed his concern for a city he sees stretching its already thin budget, adding the program doesn't guarantee a return.\n"We hardly can afford the equipment we have right now," Sharp said. "It would also have to be worthwhile for the supplier, which could get difficult."\nSharp said potential offenders could circumvent the Breathalyzer. For example, drunk persons who are determined to drive their cars home could ask a sober friend to help them start their vehicle. But Sharp downplayed the importance of the technological aspects.\n"With things like this, there always will be downfalls," Sharp said, "They can be passed, changes can be made. The main problem is the cost."\nPete Holiday, a graduate student in the IU law school, said driving should be taken seriously. But, Holiday added, he understands why Monroe County has yet to enforce the one-year-old law.\n"It won't keep everyone from driving drunk," he said.\nCasey Holsapple, also a graduate student in the IU law school, thinks it is important to protect the city against drunk driving, no matter the cost. \n"I don't think it would be a waste of money," Holsapple said, "Just for the possibility of keeping people from driving drunk." \nMaria Heslin, spokeswoman for the mayor's office, said Mayor Mark Kruzan supports Ignition Interlock Systems, but does not take issue with the current lack of enforcement. \n"The mayor fully supports the systems," Heslin said. "He authorized legislation to enable judges to mandate these systems while he served in the Indiana General Assembly as state representative"