New law to force thousands charged with drunk driving in Maryland to install ignition breathalyzers

A new state law will require more Marylanders with drunk driving charges to blow into a breath analyzer before starting their cars. The change went into effect Tuesday and is expected to add around 5,600 drivers into the state’s Ignition Interlock Program, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation. “The fact is, drunk drivers are responsible for one-third all of Maryland traffic fatalities,” Del. Vanessa Atterbeary, a Howard County Democrat and chief sponsor of the bill, said in a news release.