The Legislature finds and declares:

a. This State's penalties for drunk driving, including the mandatory suspension of driver's licenses and counseling for offenders, are among the strongest in the nation. However, despite the severity of existing penalties, far too many persons who have been convicted under the drunk driving law continue to imperil the lives of their fellow citizens by driving while intoxicated.

b. Ignition interlock devices, which permit a motor vehicle to be started only when the driver is sober, offer a technically feasible and effective means of further reducing the incidence of drunk driving. The use of these devices was initiated in California in 1986 and, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, they are presently being used or tested in at least 37 states.

c. The judicious deployment of ignition interlock devices, as provided under this act, will enhance and strengthen this State's existing efforts to keep drunk drivers off the highways.

CREDIT(S)

L.1999, c. 417, § 1.

HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES

2002 Main Volume

L.1999, c. 417, § 8, approved Jan. 18, 2000, provides:

"The provisions of this act shall take effect upon the implementation of P.L.1999, c. 28."

For effective date provisions of L.1999, c. 28, see § 39:3-9a.

L.1999, c. 28, § 19, approved Feb. 25, 1999, provided:

"This act shall take effect January 1, 2000, but the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Transportation may take such anticipatory administrative and regulatory action in advance as shall be necessary to implement the provisions of this act; provided, however, that section 14 of this act shall take effect immediately and, further provided, that for good cause, the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles may on January 1, 2000 delay implementation of the provisions of this act, other that those set forth in section 14, for a period not to extend beyond January 1, 2001."

L.2000, c. 83, § 4, approved Aug. 14, 2000, provides:

"The provisions of this act shall take effect on January 1, 2001, but shall apply to convictions for violations of R.S.39:4-50 committed on or after September 30, 2000."

For effective date provision of L.2000, c. 83, see note following N.J.S.A. § 39:4-51b.

ADMINISTRATIVE CODE REFERENCES

Installation and use of ignition interlock devices, see N.J.A.C. 13:19-6.1 et seq.

RESEARCH REFERENCES

2002 Main Volume

Treatises and Practice Aids

24 N.J. Prac. Series § 4.232, First Offense-Direct Consequences.

17 N.J. Prac. Series § 31.3, Routine Drunk Driving Cases-First Offense.

17 N.J. Prac. Series § 31.4, Routine Drunk Driving Cases-Second Offense.

17 N.J. Prac. Series § 31.5, Routine Drunk Driving Cases-Third Or Subsequent Offense.

17 N.J. Prac. Series § 31.28.1, (New) Ignition Interlock Devices (N.J.S.A. 39:4-50.16 To 39:4-50.21).

N. J. S. A. 39:4-50.16, NJ ST 39:4-50.16