Beginning New Year’s Day, a new Illinois DUI law will require anyone convicted of driving drunk or under the influence of drugs—even first offenders—to pass a breathalyzer test each time they climb behind the wheel.

How? Each offender’s vehicle will be equipped with a breath alcohol ignition interlock device, or “breathalyzer,” which prevents the car from starting if the driver doesn’t first pass a breath alcohol test. It can even require a follow-up test mid-trip. A message on the device will ask the driver to pull over and take the breathalyzer again. If the driver ignores the message, the car horn will sound. If the driver still refuses to comply, the lights will also begin flashing.

This “monitoring device driving permit” allows those convicted of drunk driving to drive to and from work during a DUI license suspension. It replaces the judicial driving permits that granted the same permissions.

“This is a new and innovative approach to deal with a very serious traffic safety issue,” Secretary of State Jesse White says. “Statistics show breath alcohol ignition interlock devices are very effective in preventing subsequent DUI offenses.”

While nearly 3,000 Illinois drivers currently use the interlock devices, officials expect that to jump to 30,000, says Henry Haupt, spokesman for the Illinois Secretary of State’s office. Motorists pay about $100 to have the units installed on their cars and monthly fees of about $110.

Under the new law, the summary suspension also doubles from six months to 12 months for any motorist failing the breath alcohol test and from six months to 12 months for anyone refusing to take the test.

Source: The News-Gazette, Cyberdrive Illinois

While we’ve been following the government bailout of U.S. automakers, who have been chastised for their slow adoption of alternative-fuel vehicles, China’s largest battery manufacturer has begun to sell its plug-in hybrid vehicle for about 150,000 yuan (about $21,900).

Called the F3DM, this vehicle will be on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan. 11-25. What’s notable is that the car’s on sale in China now, at least two years before the Chevy Volt; it has a range of 62 miles vs. the Volt’s 40-mile range; and it’s being offered at a much lower cost. (The Volt will have an estimated $40,000 price tag.)

Interestingly, the car has three power options to extend its 62-mile driving range:

• full battery-powered electric mode;
• series-hybrid mode, in which an engine drives a generator to recharge the batteries (the Volt will feature a range-extender like this);
• parallel hybrid mode, in which the engine and motor work like a hybrid vehicle, such as the Toyota Prius.

Even more intriguing is that BYD, the company that manufactures it, began making vehicles in just the past few years. The company has announced plans to sell its F3DM vehicle in the United States in 2010, which means it could hit the U.S. market before the Volt does.

The company is also working on the BYD E6 electric car, which it showed at the Beijing auto show back in April. Although it’s currently a concept car, BYD is hoping to roll it out in 2010. It will be interesting to hear consumers’ opinions about these BYD vehicles, especially during a period when more auto manufacturers are expected to be introducing hybrid-electric vehicles of their own.

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle or have one you would like to sell, why not do a good deed this holiday season and donate it to a deserving charity?

While many organizations would benefit from your donation, the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is entering all those who donate through Dec. 31 into a national sweepstakes celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Kidney Cars Program.

Vehicle donors could earn a chance to win one of 25 prizes in the sweepstakes. The Grand Prize is a weekend for four at the Pebble Beach golf resort in California and includes a chance to win $25,000 in cash. First prize is a year’s worth of gas—a great prize even with the recent drop in gas prices.

In the past 25 years, more than 650,000 used vehicles have pumped a total of $150 million into life-saving programs, including free kidney screenings for those at risk, research, public and professional education, and camps for children on dialysis.

The Kidney Cars program is a major revenue driver for the NKF, and 75 cents of every $1 donated to Kidney Cars goes directly to programs and services, says Chad Iseman, Kidney Cars Program Director.

To learn more about donating your vehicle, visit Kidney Cars online or call 800.488.CARS (2277).

As the season’s fifth or six snowfall blankets the ground (I’ve lost count already), village public works departments are being taxed yet again to keep the roads clean and safe amid salt shortages and skyrocketing costs.

And you’re right if you think your village roads haven’t been salted as much this year or that it’s taking longer for them to be salted. But please be patient. Many villages—including Vernon Hills, Libertyville and Mundelein—have been forced to implement conservation plans in the hopes of making their minimal salt supplies last through the winter.

These actions are the result of above-average snowfalls the past few years and flooding and increased ethanol production that limited the amount of salt shipped via the Mississippi this year.

Here’s how the village of Vernon Hills explains the shortage: In 2006-07, snowfall was 38 inches above average and the village used its entire salt allotment at a cost of just over $100,000. In 2007-08, snowfall was 78 inches and 100% above average. The village bought more than 3,000 tons of salt at the beginning of the season for $41.65 per ton. In February, the village was forced to purchased 200 more tons, this time at a cost of $220 per ton. Total salt costs for the year: $170,000. This year, the village has attempted to secure 2,500 tons of salt at an astonishing projected cost of $375,000.

To see how each village is handling snow management, click on the links below:

• Vernon Hills
• Libertyville
• Mundelein

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