(North Carolina) Require Ignition Interlocks for All DWI Offenders
North Carolina law currently requires ignition interlock devices (IIDs) only for repeat DWI offenders and first-time offenders with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or greater. This leaves a significant gap: first-time offenders with a BAC between .08 and .14 face no IID requirement, even though any impaired driver poses a serious risk to public safety.
House Bill 1199, authored by Representative Mike Schietzelt, would close that gap by mandating ignition interlock devices for all convicted DWI offenders — including first-time offenders at any BAC level. The device requires a driver to pass a breath test before the vehicle will start, directly preventing further impaired driving. If enacted, North Carolina would become the 35th state in the nation to require IIDs for all first-time DWI convictions.
Research consistently shows that IID programs reduce DWI recidivism. Advocacy organizations including Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) support H 1199 as a proven, targeted intervention. Constituents are urged to contact their State Representatives and State Senators to support passage of H 1199.
View Call Scripts
Live Call Script
Hello, I am an assistant calling on behalf of a constituent, {{first_name}} {{last_name}} from {{city}}, {{state}} zip code {{zip_code}}. The constituent is calling to urge {{representative_name}} to support House Bill 1199, the ignition interlock expansion bill authored by Representative Schietzelt. Under current North Carolina law, ignition interlock devices are only required for repeat DWI offenders and first-time offenders with a BAC of .15 or higher. H 1199 would extend that requirement to all convicted DWI offenders, including first-time offenders at any BAC level — closing a critical gap in the state's impaired driving laws. Ignition interlock devices have a proven track record of reducing repeat drunk driving incidents. Thirty-four other states already require them for all first-time DWI convictions. Passing H 1199 would bring North Carolina in line with the national standard and help keep impaired drivers off the road. The constituent respectfully asks {{representative_name}} to vote yes on H 1199. Thank you for your time and for your service to the people of North Carolina.
Voicemail Version
I am calling on behalf of {{first_name}} {{last_name}}, a constituent from {{city}}, {{state}} {{zip_code}}. The constituent is calling to urge {{representative_name}} to support House Bill 1199, which would require ignition interlock devices for all convicted DWI offenders in North Carolina, including first-time offenders at any BAC level. Current law leaves a gap by exempting first-time offenders below a .15 BAC, and this bill would bring North Carolina in line with 34 other states that already mandate IIDs for all first-time DWI convictions. The constituent respectfully asks for a yes vote on H 1199. You may contact me at {{phone_number}} to discuss further.