By RONNIE ELLIS
FRANKFORT — A bill passed out of the House budget committee Wednesday would require those convicted of drunken driving to lease ignition interlock systems which would test their breath for alcohol before allowing them to start their vehicles.
House Bill 58 is sponsored by Rep. Dennis Keene, D-Wilder, whose daughter was seriously injured when her vehicle was hit by a drunk driver. If it becomes law, anyone convicted of driving under the influence to have the devices installed on their personal vehicles after the first offense. Such persons would have to maintain the device for a period from six months to 30 months, depending on the number of convictions for DUI on their records.
The bill is supported by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) whose representative, Angela Criswell, testified before the House Appropriations and Revenue Committee Tuesday.
Criswell cited statistics she said indicate 70 percent of persons arrested for DUI have serious alcohol problems and half to three-quarters of them will continue to drive even if their license is suspended. She said since New Mexico implemented such a law, repeat DUI offenses are down 65 percent and deaths due to drunk driving are down 35 percent in the state.
Keene said the cost to those required to install the devices would be “between $2.50 and $3 or about the cost of a drink of alcohol a day.” Once a drivers’ suspended license is restored or he resumed driving with a hardship license, he would have to use an ignition interlock device if the bill achieves final passage and becomes law.
Keene said that allows the driver to continue working or driving family members – so long as he or she isn’t drinking. The car would not start if the device detects the driver has been drinking.
Some committee members were concerned about the availability of the devices in rural Kentucky. Keene said at least seven providers were prepared to have the devices available through such franchise auto businesses as AutoZone. Drivers would not have to purchase the devices, he said. They would be leased.
Keene said 12 states presently require or “provide incentives” for the devices for those convicted of drunken driving. He said it’s a myth that many first time DUI arrests are of those who drank too much for the first time or drove for the first time while drunk. On average, Keene said, a drunken driver has driven under the influence 87 times before his or her first arrest.
Keene conceded the issue “is personal for me.” His daughter, Kellie, was seriously injured when her vehicle was struck by a drunken driver a couple of weeks before her high school graduation. He talked of pushing her in a wheel chair so she could receive her diploma. She has since recovered, he said.
Ed Monahan, the state’s chief Public Advocate, said he supports the intent of Keene’s bill. He said some provision, however, should be added for judges to determine when the accused is legitimately too poor to pay for the device and allow them to pay for them on a sliding scale basis.
RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.
