RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)--New legislation is on its way to the governor that will make the driver blow into the interlock system a number of times. One group is asking Governor Bob McDonnell to reconsider.
Blowing into an ignition interlock device is already mandatory for repeat DUI offenders, but once House Bill 279 is signed into law, first-time offenders will have to do so.
And if they fail to do so--an internal alarm will make the horn sound and lights flash.
Last year in Virginia 274 people were killed by drunk driving, some 500 more injured.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving said that interlock devices are an immediate step to an ongoing search for a solution to putting the brakes on drinking and driving.
"We are working on trying to get technology into cars that are less invasive than picking up a tube and blowing in it...like devices that can tell by your fingertips or ambient air that you're too intoxicated to drive."
Leah Lovitt said she's known some habitual offenders with the device in their car--but also knows they've found ways to take a detour to beat the technology.
"I’ve known people with interlocks that have had people that haven't been drinking with them and they just blow into it for them...people who have multiple dui offenses are not going to stop,” she said.
