Why Bernalillo County Needs Ignition Interlock Devices

If you have ever seen the destruction that can be caused by a drunk driver, you already understand why ignition interlock devices are a go-to solution by our court systems and the agencies that control our driver’s licenses. Bernalillo County in New Mexico is a great example of a place that has a tough outlook on drunk drivers, but, it still has more work ahead to keep the streets safe. Unfortunately, even with an all-offender ignition interlock law in New Mexico’s Bernalillo County, there have still been 18 lives lost this year to drunk drivers, bringing the state’s alcohol-related traffic fatality number to 186.

Drunk driving is a 100% preventable crime, a sad fact when you consider how easy it can be to call a taxi or find a safe ride home after drinking. That’s why after a DWI in New Mexico, a convicted offender must install an ignition interlock in order to legally drive again. With the lives lost in Bernalillo County this year, alone, ignition interlock devices could have prevented those tragedies, not to mention any other damages or non-fatal injuries throughout the year.

Unfortunately, not everyone has gotten the message about drinking and driving, or they have not taken it seriously enough. Ignition interlock devices help prevent further drunk driving incidents, and the damage that can occur. They also serve as a warning to others who may think they’re okay to drive after drinking – if you are facing a DWI, you’ll face an ignition interlock requirement, too. Bernalillo County may top the list of dangerous counties in New Mexico, but, the story is similar everywhere in the U.S. With ignition interlock devices, that story can change into a story of success, where the streets are free from drunk drivers and there is no longer a concern for other drunk drivers on the road.