Minnesota lawmakers call for reexamination of the state's DWI laws after tragedy at Park Tavern

Minnesota lawmakers are calling for a reexamination of the state's DWI laws in light of last weekend's tragedy at Park Tavern in St. Louis Park.

56-year old Steven Bailey is charged in the deaths of two people after slamming his car into a crowded patio, while driving with a blood alcohol level of more than four times the legal limit. Bailey already has five DWI's on his record.

DFL Representative Brad Tabke (Shakopee) told WCCO's Adam Carter solving the problem of repeat drunk drivers is a complicated issue.

"So, having stiffer penalties and having bigger penalties is a really easy way to say that we should absolutely do this, and everybody locks arms and we should put people away forever," Tabke says. "But we know that that is not a viable solution."

Tabke says one idea being considered involves "random" ignition interlocks on a repeat offenders' car, disabling it from starting if they've been drinking. He says that has been successful in other states and countries.

"Becomes more of a random, that you don't have to do it every single time when you drive, just to keep people honest," he explains. "You never know if it's going to come on or not. And just to make sure that we have a way to monitor, and keep up on that for people who honestly can't trust themselves."

Minnesota law requires a driver whose license was revoked as a result of two or more alcohol offenses in ten years, or three or more in a lifetime, to complete the ignition interlock device program.

Ignition interlock is available, but not required, for first-time offenses including those with breath-alcohol tests 0.16 or more and refusal to take the alcohol test.  In those cases, the driver may choose to wait out their revocation period (and may be eligible for a limited license after 15 days), or they may enter the IIDP and drive with no waiting period.

Tabke says stiffer penalties for repeat violators is not a viable solution.

Currently, 31 states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring all offenders , including first-time offenders, to install an ignition interlock device. An additional eight states—Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and Wyoming—require high BAC offenders—trigger levels range between .1 and .17—and repeat offenders to install IIDs.

Five states—Georgia, Ohio, Massachusetts, Maine and Missouri—require only repeat offenders to install the devices.

The remaining six states—California, Indiana, Nevada, North Dakota, Montana and South Dakota— do not have any statewide requirements regarding IIDs, but judges have the discretion to order offenders to install one if they consider it necessary.