Drunk driving is a plague in New Jersey. Approximately 22% of all fatal accidents in New Jersey come as a result of drunk driving. That’s why Spaulding Injury Law has taken action to campaign for action.
The work of DSS Law Firm partner Steven Benvenisti and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) have resulted in New Jersey introducing the “All Offender” Ignition Interlock Law, which came into effect on December 1st, 2019.
The Ignition Interlock Law to Save Lives
Benvenisti was especially keen to see this law enacted and has campaigned tirelessly to make it a reality. DSS law Firm, click here to read more about them, is a law firm in New Jersey that has also lent its considerable weight to pressuring officials to enact the law.
The Ignition Interlock Law means that all drunk drivers will now need to use an ignition interlock device as a precondition to operation. Additionally, this also includes first-time offenders.
33 states have, thus far, enacted similar laws. Fatalities on roadways have declined by an average of 52% following the installation of ignition interlock devices in the vehicles of convicted drunk drivers.
How Do Ignition Interlock Devices Work?
DSS Law Firm explains here why ignition interlock devices are so effective. All offenders are required to provide full registration details of the vehicles they drive under this law.
The ignition interlock device is essentially a permanent breathalyzer device. The driver is required to provide a sample of breath to prove that they’re legally able to drive.
Failure to provide a sample of breath each time they start the car up, or if they’re found to be over the limit, and the car won’t start.
Benvenisti and MADD Campaign Tirelessly
Despite the fact that the majority of states in the US have enacted similar versions of this law, DSS Law Firm states it required a significant amount of lobbying to bring it to New Jersey.
Steven Benvenisti suffered life-changing injuries when he was struck by a drunk driver. He personally visited Trenton, NJ, on a number of occasions to testify to lawmakers regarding the dangers of drunk driving and how this law can change everything.
Together with MADD, lawmakers eventually relented in 2019 and also included a provision that requires even first-time offenders to come under this law.
Will it Work in New Jersey?
Since the law came into force in December 2019, not enough time has passed to gather relevant statistics about fatal traffic accidents or the impact that this law has had.
However, ignition interlock devices have been used in other states for many years. The data gathered shows that these devices work and are proven to work.
A drunk driver is unable to think or make rational decisions. These devices are so effective, according to experts, because the decision is taken out of the drunk driver’s hands entirely.
Although legal experts are expecting to see a decline in the number of drunk driving cases, they say it will take time to see just how much of a positive impact this law will have. What everyone agrees on, though, is that this is a positive step forward for road safety in New Jersey.