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St. Paul, Minn.

Minn. House approves DWI ignition device bill

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The Minnesota House has approved legislation that would make some convicted drunken drivers blow into a device before driving.

A bill sponsored by Rep. Karla Bigham, DFL-Cottage Grove, aims to keep drunken drivers off the road by making them install breath-activated ignition devices on their vehicles.

The device tests the alcohol level in a person's breath and prevents a vehicle from starting if the level is above 0.02 blood-alcohol content.

The proposal passed the House unanimously on Monday.

The House bill doesn't go quite as far as Gov. Tim Pawlenty's original proposal. Those caught with lower blood-alcohol levels could choose between the device and other penalties.

Pawlenty wanted to make all convicted drunken drivers use the technology.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)