I despise DUI drivers, but these whiz-bang ignition interlocks are NOT the answer--for the same reasons that cross-bolt safeties on leverguns are ludicrous. What stops a sober front seat passenger from interceding in the start-up sequence? What stops the system from being by-passed in any other number of ways? Only laws--and lawbreakers already DGAF.
I saved up heresies for close to a week, just to post here. FANG THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS out of EVERY violator that gets caught DUI--alcohol, illegal drugs, whatever. Treat DUI with the same severity it gets dealt with in most other modern nations. There will be costs involved with these tightened laws--more people will fail to yield during contact attempts. Cases presented in court will become far more vigorously defended, due to the potential sanctions involved.
California has done a few good things with DUI enforcement, but more is needed. First-offense DUI/no injuries or property damage is a $12K-$15K trip through the criminal justice system, which should get most people's attention--and does. I don't see a just/fair way to further sanction simple-element first offenders, and we haven't even talked about car insurance for the violator in coming years--that is some righteous sticker shock inbound at warp speed. Fair and just, AFAIC. Also, vehicular homicide can be upgraded to 2nd degree murder in CA now, on the basis of implied malice (this pivots on intoxication level, largely) and upon prior convictions.
DUI with priors needs to have its sanctions elevated MARKEDLY, however. Murder-2 is a step in the right direction in cases that rise to that level of severity, but the "with priors" sanctions absent death and/or injury MUST BE UPGRADED--turn "with priors" into mandatory felony/mandatory state prison offenses, irrespective of injury or property damage. GET SERIOUS, IOW. And punish the violators, NOT the public at large--they already bear the brunt of hazardous driving at the hands of the druggies and drunkards that infest our highways.