Michigan lawmakers are proposing an Extreme Drunk Driving laws package that, if passed, would result in:

• Required Ignition Alcohol Interlock Device for first offense OWI convictions with a BAC of .15% (nearly 2x the legal limit for impairment)
• Required alcohol abuse treatment programs
• 45 days license suspension, after which the interlock device must be in the person’s vehicle for 1 year

Passage seems likely, and legislative support is overwhelming despite resistance from the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA). The MLBA questions the .15 BAC level, since nearly half of all Michigan OWI arrests are at that level, and is lobbying for more specificity in the contents of the requires alcohol education programs.

The bill is targeted at prevention, rather than punishment, which is a step in the right direction. More information on Michigan OWI Penalties.

In an article in the Detroit News, it is noted how Michigan has continuously ramped up OWI/DUI law punishment and enforcement, yet Michigan still has the 11th highest rate of drunk driving in the nation.

In the past, new laws have taken a punative approach, including:

• Reduction of the OWI BAC threshold from .10 to .08 BAC
• “Heidi’s Law”, which changed the lookback period for previous OWI convictions from 10 years to an unlimited lifetime lookback

New proposed legislation includes a “High BAC” provision, or “Extreme Drunk Driving”, where even a first offense OWI conviction with a BAC of .15% or above (nearly twice the legal limit of .08%) would result in a mandatory ignition interlock device in order to get your license back.

This is a measure that is supported by the victims rights lobbying group MADD, but is considered a reasonable approach by many lawmakers. Punishment for chronic alcohol abusers who drink and drive has largely failed. More treatment of alcohol addiction programs and prevention of drunk driving is more likely to result in safer roads for Michigan drivers.

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Please view out main site pages for additional information on Michigan’s OWI laws and penalties.