A bill introduced this week to the Legislature would require Wisconsinites with two or more convictions for drunken driving to install Breathalyzer-like devices to prevent them from starting their vehicles after consuming alcohol.

Rep. Dean Kaufert, R-Neenah, proposed the legislation aiming to prevent repeat offenses by mandating installation of the ignition interlock device for two years following the conviction.

�Under current law, after a second offense, judges may order an ignition interlock in people�s vehicles,� Kaufert said. �I just believe we need to start looking at earlier intervention with drunk drivers.�

Kaufert said the demand on repeat offenders is a reasonable one, adding, �I think we can change people�s behavior [with this legislation], and I think it�s all about changing people�s behavior at an earlier point.�

The ignition interlock device tests the driver in a similar method to Breathalyzers and prevents the car from starting if it detects any alcohol in the driver�s system. The device would be rented at a cost to the offender of about $60-75 per month.

Though the legislation is circulating the Republican-controlled Assembly for cosponsors and has not been officially introduced, state executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Kari Kinnard said it wouldn�t be enough.

�While we support ignition interlock legislation, we would like to see that include first offenders as well,� Kinnard said, adding New Mexico, Illinois, Louisiana and Arizona all have laws requiring the devices in the cars of first-time offenders.

�Most [operating while intoxicated] homicides are committed by people with no prior conviction. Although we continue to target repeat offenders, and rightly so, we certainly can�t ignore first-time offenders,� she said.

Kinnard added other states that have required ignition interlock legislation have found success.

According to the Department of Transportation, more than one-third of fatal traffic accidents in Wisconsin involve alcohol, and alcohol-related traffic deaths are the largest component of all traffic fatalities in the state.

In 2005, 330 people died in alcohol-related accidents in Wisconsin, and 5,992 people were injured. In 2006, the number dropped to 305, also according to DOT.