Pennsylvania may require more drunk drivers to use ignition interlock

March 11, 2014 (Press-News.org) Pennsylvania may require more drunk drivers to use ignition interlock

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Drunk driving has long been known as a dangerous activity. Nearly one in three traffic deaths involve alcohol. In an effort to cut down on injury and death resulting from drunk driving, state Senator John Rafferty introduced legislation early in 2014 that would require all drivers with a single DUI conviction to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles in order to have driving privileges reinstated. An IID is a breathalyzer-type alcohol tester that prevents an intoxicated driver from starting the vehicle. Drivers would have to use the device for six months after being convicted of driving under the influence for the first time.

The bill is currently in the Senate Transportation Committee and has not been brought to the floor for a vote.

Pennsylvania currently requires IID installation depending on several factors that led to the arrest of the driver. If a driver had a "high BAC" when arrested, previous DUI convictions or is a commercial driver, then the court may require IID installation. A driver convicted of a second DUI must use an IID for one year after conviction, for example.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving supports the measure. The bill will "save lives, prevent injuries and stop repeat offenses," MADD wrote in a press release about the legislation.

Drunk driving injuries still prevalent

A decades-long battle against drunk driving has made progress in reducing the number of DUI injuries and deaths in the state. However, drunk driving still causes irreparable harm to families. According to the PA DUI association, there were nearly 12,000 DUI-related crashes in the state and 428 deaths associated with drunk driving in 2012.

Legal remedies

The legal system attempts to eliminate drunk driving by imposing harsh penalties even for first-time DUI convictions. Should the measure proposed in the Senate ultimately pass into law, it may reduce the likelihood of repeat DUI offenders and improve safety on the state's roads.

In sponsoring the legislation, Sen. Rafferty wrote in a memo to fellow legislators that "research shows there are over 30,000 first-time DUI offenders each year, and that a substantial number will violate the terms of their license suspension and become repeat offenders." Similar laws to the one proposed in the state Senate are in place in 15 states.

The goal of reducing or eliminate drunk driving is a noble one. Unfortunately, too many innocent drivers and passengers are injured by drunk driving every year. People injured by a drunk driver or the families of loved ones killed in a drunk driving crash should contact an experienced personal injury attorney to get help with medical bills and other damages associated with the accident.