MADD tackles capital for support on drunk driving legislation

JACKSON, Tenn. — From driving to work to cruising the streets, Mothers Against Drunk Driving say they want to make the roads a little safer with a bill set to go before lawmakers Wednesday.

“Individuals were forgoing the restricted license and just waiting out their year of revocation,” said Kate Ritchie, the state program director at Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

Ritchie said the current proposed bill would be an extension to an already passed law. While those convicted of DUIs have the option to get an ignition interlock in the Volunteer State, it’s not required.

“This bill will make sure that if you’re convicted of a DUI you’ll have the ignition interlock installed on your car for 365 days of which 120 days have to be violation free,” Ritchie said.

Tennessee driver Matthew Tinsley says he wants to see the bill drive through to the governor with a passing vote.

“I feel like if you did it the first time then you should have to be proven every single time that you’re adult enough to drive a car without drinking,” he said.

MADD says if a convicted drunk driver has the interlock system, they are 67 percent less likely to have a future DUI. The legislation would put the cost of the system on drivers.

We reached out to Jackson police to see how this bill could impact law enforcement. They declined our interview via email, saying, “we will wait until the finalization of the bill before addressing how it may effect the law enforcement community.”