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Lawmakers are looking for tougher penalties against convicted DUI offenders. As Matt Galka tells us, they’re touting a bill that installs breathalyzer technology on cars as a lifesaving tool…if they can get it passed.

DUI…meet IID.  Lawmakers are pushing for the technology known as an Ignition Interlock Device to be installed on all first time offenders cars if they’re convicted of drunk driving.

Frank Harris with Mothers Against Drunk Driving gave us a demonstration

“And now it’s analyzing…and I passed,” he said.

First time offenders already have the devices installed on their cars, but only if they were convicted with a .15 blood alcohol level or above.

A bill moving thorugh the capitol would lower that threshold.  Kristen Allen with MADD says IID’s were responsible for stopping nearly 2 million drivers around the country from driving drunk.

“Residents and visitors deserve to drive without fear that the driver next to them has recklessly chosen to drive drunk,” she said.

Lawmakers say its about saving lives.

We need to do what we can to curb that behavior, and make sure we have fewer victims that just go out innocently to drive on our roads,” said Rep. Scott Plakon (R-Longwood).

But opponents say the price tag which is about $80 bucks a month, means many drivers don’t get them even when court ordered.  What’s worse…a drunk driver could have a sober person pass the breath test for them before they get behind the wheel.

The device would stay on a first time offender’s car for 6 months if the legislation passes