Ignition Interlock Legislation Advances, Says Heffley
HARRISBURG – To help make roads safer, Senate Bill 290, which would make the ignition interlock program mandatory for first-time DUI offenders with high blood alcohol levels, advanced this week out of the House Transportation Committee, said Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon).
“This is a life-saving bill that will hold all drunk drivers accountable. Senate Bill 290 has the support of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and research conducted by Centers for Disease Control illustrates the efficacy of ignition interlock programs in the prevention of repeat DUI offenses,” said Heffley.
Ignition interlocks have been required for repeat offenders since October 2003, and this technology has stopped over 78,000 attempts by repeat drunk drivers to drive with an illegal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.08 percent or greater.
“By requiring first-time offenders to use the ignition interlock program, we will be making the roads safer for all Pennsylvanians. The offenders, if they install the ignition interlock technology in their vehicles, will be able to drive to work and other important obligations, but they will be forced to stay accountable,” said Heffley.
Similar legislation is on the books in 39 other states. The bill now moves to the full House for consideration.
Representative Doyle Heffley
122nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Morgan Dux
717.260.6695
mdux@pahousegop.com
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