Closing the Lethal Loophole in Noah’s Law with SB 672 and HB 749

Noah’s Law was intended to require interlocking devices to be installed on the vehicles of all offenders of drunk driving. However, because of Maryland’s Probation Before Judgement (PBJ) a lethal loophole exists that is being exploited by our judges. If a person is found guilty of drunk driving the judge has the option of granting a PBJ on a first offense. When this happens the offender is not rendered a judgement of conviction thereby the judge is NOT compelled to comply with Noah’s Law.

I have verified, from 22 months of court monitoring, that when a PBJ is granted NO interlock is ordered 59% of the time by judges. This lethal loophole being exploited by our judges is a blatant disregard for the safety and well being of the citizens of Maryland. Therefore, we have been trying for 2 years to close this loophole, and once again this year Senate Bill (SB 672) and House Bill (HB 749) is being proposed to do just that.

Please help save lives! Download the letter provided below and send it to your representatives in Annapolis. Please also call them, using the information available here msa.maryland.gov. The more our representatives hear from us the better chance of success!

Things to remember:

– Drunk driving is the leading killer on Maryland roadways.

– 67% of people that had interlocks do not repeat.

– Interlocks reduce deaths by 16%.

– By the time of a first offense a person has driven drunk about 80 times.

– 30 people die every day in the US at the hands of drunk drivers.

– 2 out of 3 people will be impacted by a drunk driver in their life time.

Thank You and Let’s Keep Noah on Patrol,

Rich Leotta