On December 1st, 2019, New Jersey’s new Ignition Interlock Law came into effect, to prevent drunk drivers from hitting the roads of the Garden State.
Together with lawyer Steven Benvenisti from Davis, Saperstein & Salomon P.C. and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), this brand-new law is designed to prevent drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle in New Jersey.
It’s expected that the Ignition Interlock Law could save thousands of lives every year.
How the Ignition Interlock Law is a Game Changer
Across the US, approximately 29% of all fatal auto accidents involve an alcohol-related impairment of some kind. The figures for New Jersey are similar with 33% of fatal auto accidents involving alcohol.
New Jersey is now the 34th state to enact a type of ignition interlock law for convicted drunk drivers, including first-time offenders.
This means all drivers convicted of drunk driving will have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle. This acts as an in-car breathalyzer. The driver must provide a sample of breath. If they are over the limit, they won’t be able to start the car.
Making New Jersey’s Roads Safer
Steven Benvenisti of Davis, Saperstein & Salomon P.C. took a personal interest in making this law a reality. After sustaining life-changing injuries as a result of a drunk driver, he joined up with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to raise awareness and to lobby the state government.
He testified numerous times in Trenton, New Jersey, to support the law.
Steven said, “I firmly believe in implementing this law throughout New Jersey to make the roads of this state safer. With the number of fatalities caused throughout New Jersey due to drunk driving, it’s vital that we take action to make our roads safer, which I believe this law does.”
Do Ignition Interlock Devices Have a Positive Impact?
33 other states have already implemented similar laws for convicted drunk drivers. The studies conducted in other states reveal that there’s up to a 52% decline in road fatalities when ignition interlock devices are installed within the cars of convicted drunk drivers.
It’s also a well-known fact that many drunk drivers also have problems with alcohol. By implementing these devices that prevent cars from being started when the driver is alcohol-impaired, bad decisions can be avoided.
A Life-Saving Law
Steven expressed his delight at the number of potential fatalities that will be avoided now that this law has come into effect.
He has campaigned tirelessly throughout New Jersey to make it a reality and prevent more families from experiencing personal tragedies.
You can find out more about the campaign to make this law a reality by visiting the Davis, Saperstein & Salomon P.C. website.
All persons convicted of drunk driving are expected to have these devices installed in accordance with the law. Following the implementation of the law on December 1st, 2019, it’s the responsibility of all convicted drunk drivers to voluntarily have these devices installed within their personal vehicles.