Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), state highway-safety officials and auto manufacturers are calling for more states to require every convicted drunk driver to have devices installed that prevent them from starting their cars if they have been drinking alcohol, the New York Times reported Nov. 20.

The coalition including MADD plans to lobby officials in 49 states to require the ignition-interlock devices, which requires drivers to blow into an alcohol breath-tester before driving. Last year, New Mexico became the first state to require first-offense drunk drivers to have the devices installed; other states only require the devices for offenders with multiple DWI convictions, if at all.

Advocates say the devices are critical for continuing to push down the rate of alcohol-related traffic deaths in the U.S. "We've seen no progress in 10 years; we're completely stalled," said Susan Ferguson of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Next-generation interlock devices would be more unobtrusive, working automatically rather than requiring a driver to blow into a tube. Some say that the devices should be installed in all vehicles, not just in those driven by convicted drunk drivers. MADD suggests putting the devices in corporate vehicle fleets, and says insurers could give discounts to others who have them installed.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Governors Highway Safety Association are among the supporters of the devices. Advocates say devices would be more effective than criminal penalties like license suspensions, since many offenders continue to drive anyway.