STATEHOUSE (Feb. 25, 2010) - A bill to further monitor former habitual traffic offenders who regain driving privileges got the green light today from the House of Representatives, according to State Sen. Tom Wyss (R-Fort Wayne).

State representatives voted unanimously in favor of Senate Bill 221, a measure that would tighten Indiana’s Habitual Traffic Offender Law.

Wyss said his legislation puts in writing a judge’s authority to enforce a more strict monitoring policy where former repeat offenders are concerned.

“House lawmakers worked to strengthen the legislation and I fully intend to support their changes as it comes back to the Senate before moving on to the governor’s desk,” Wyss said. “I’m convinced the final bill will protect motorists and cut down on injuries and fatalities caused by unsafe driving.”

Wyss said the bill would require judges to monitor individuals who have commited at least two prior offenses - such as drunken driving or driving while under the influence of a controlled substance - one being within the past five years.

Under the measure, judges would be required to use one or more monitoring methods of former offenders convicted of driving while intoxicated during a three-year probationary period:

An ignition interlock device that requires a vehicle operator to blow into a handheld alcohol sensor unit that is attached to the dashboard. The car cannot be started if a blood alcohol content is above a preset level;

A chemical drug or alcohol test violators must submit to any time a law enforcement officer stops them;

A personal monitoring device the offender must wear to detect and record their drug or alcohol content during the hours they are permitted to drive. Wyss’ bill also gives judges the authority to specify and limit hours offenders are allowed to drive; or

Other reasonable monitoring methods determined by the court.
Indiana law defines a habitual traffic offender as a person who has - within a 10-year period - either committed two major offenses which resulted in injury or death or three offenses such as driving with a blood alcohol content of more than .08 percent or speeding.

According to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, from 2005 to 2008 about 2,450 drivers’ licenses were suspended for being habitual traffic offenders.

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