Editorial: DUI Legislation - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: DUI Legislation

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  • Editorials

  • Thursday, May 23 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-23 23:20:04 GMT
    Anyone who takes advantage of one of Alabama's most treasured assets – the elderly – should face swift and steep consequences.  Thanks to a bill passed in the final hours of most recent legislative session that
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  • Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:20:08 GMT
    The horrific tornadoes that ripped through Oklahoma this week bring back all too familiar memories for Alabamians as memories of April 27, 2011 are still fresh in many minds. When Alabamians were in need
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  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

It took a while to get Alabama on this dance floor but finally we are there. Governor Robert Bentley this month signed into law House Bill 361, the Matthew John Dahl DUI Prevention Act.

With his signature, Governor Bentley makes Alabama the 50th state to enact an ignition interlock law. No high fives for being last on this potentially life-saving law.

The new law, which will take effect September 1, 2011, requires repeat DUI offenders and those convicted with a blood alcohol content of .15 or greater to have an ignition interlock in their car.

Cars or trucks equipped with this device will not start unless the breath of the driver is below the allowable limit. You will have to "blow before you go."

It's a shame that we need technology to keep people from doing the wrong thing especially when they have been caught before and know the deadly ramifications of their actions.

But that's the world we live in and we are glad we have this law and device now in place to be the conscious of those making bad decisions.

We appreciate your feedback.

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