One conviction is all it takes in 11 states
First-time drunk driving offenders in California are now required to install alcohol detection devices in their cars. The law, signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger this past weekend, makes California the eleventh U.S. state to mandate alcohol interlock ignitions for first time offenders. Drivers must blow into the device; the car won’t start if they register a blood-alcohol count above a pre-determined level. While MADD is cheering the move, the American Beverage Institute says the devices should only be mandated for repeat offenders, or for those whose blood-alcohol level exceeds 0.15.