Illinois transportation and police officials recently discussed a new law that requires a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device to be installed for first-time drunken driving offenders.

The law will take effect Thursday, Jan. 1.

"While traffic deaths in Illinois have declined in recent years, we are still working diligently to keep drivers safe on the road from impaired drivers," said Milton R. Sees, Illinois Department of Transportation secretary, in a press release. "Drunk driving is a disturbing trend that we continue to work hard to reverse, and the new BAIID program will assist us to do just that."

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s office will administer the program. State Sen. John Cullerton, D-Chicago, State Rep. Robert Molaro, D-Chicago, and State Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, sponsored the legislation.

The law mandates all first-time driving under the influence offenders who wish to continue driving must obtain a monitoring device driving permit and install a BAIID device in their vehicle. The initiative also was also supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

"This is a new and innovative approach to deal with a very serious traffic safety issue," said White. "Far too many people are killed and injured each year by drunk drivers.

"This law uses technology to target DUI offenders in an effort to make our roads safer, while posing no inconvenience to the vast majority of Illinoisans who are safe and responsible drivers. Most importantly,

this law will save lives."

The new law signifies anyone arrested for DUI beginning at midnight on Jan. 1 will be required to install this device if they want driving relief during the length of their driver’s license suspension. In addition, the new law requires the person to submit a breath test every time they wish to start their vehicle and also at periodic intervals after their vehicle has been started.

Illinois becomes one of just six states mandating BAIID use by first-time offenders.

At a news conference, the BAIID device was demonstrated along with the effects of alcohol impairment at a "wet lab" in Chicago. A wet lab is a controlled environment in which a person actually consumes alcohol to a level of .08 BAC (the illegal limit in Illinois), demonstrating the real-life effects of alcohol on an individual’s motor skills.

Law enforcement also will be stepping up patrols beginning this month as part of the You Drink & Drive, You Lose campaign.The crackdown runs through Sunday, Jan. 4. For more information about impaired driving in Illinois, log onto www.drivesoberillinois.org.