The United States Department of Transportation has decided to make a determination as to whether to cut funding to North Carolina, 
based on what they determine to be lax DWI laws. The federal program that has incited such legislation is called, “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century.” This requires U.S. states to meet certain minimum federal guidelines on drunk driving laws in order to receive funding for highway programs. The idea is that if a state fails to meet federal guidelines, it may be forced to divert money to anti-drunk driving programs and highway safety improvements. This will assuredly take money away from general road construction for the state.
Other states in the U.S. have already been penalized for lackadaisical DUI laws. The Department of Transportation will release a decision with regard to North Carolina soon. One of the criticisms that have been brought forth by the DOT is that North Carolina law does not yet mandate that repeat DWI offenders install an ignition interlock system on their vehicle. Further, the state has been asked to prohibit open containers in the passenger side of the vehicle. This bill would take effect on October 1st if passed.
