Mothers Against Drunk Driving shows support for ignition interlock bill

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A national show of support in Madison on Monday for a local lawmaker's effort to require all drunk drivers, even first time offenders, to place ignition interlock devices on their vehicle. 

The national president of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers came to Madison on Tuesday with about MADD volunteers from all over the state to back Milwaukee Senator Chris Larson's bill. 

The bill would force anyone who has committed a drunk driving offense to blow into a breathalyzer when they want to turn their car on. If they don't pass, the car won't start. 

The requirement would last a year after the offense. 

MADD says there are 13,000 devices in American cars right now and those have prevented people from driving more than 200,000. 

"211,000 times it stopped somebody from driving drunk, so the opportunity was there and they didn't kill themselves, they didn't kill somebody else, and they're learning how to drive without alcohol, and that's what we're looking to do," says Colleen Sheehey-Church with MADD. 

Last year, 193 people died from drunk-driving related incidents in Wisconsin. 

Historically, it's been difficult to pass laws that increase drunk driving penalties in the state.