Lawmakers in Frankfort have advanced a bill intended to reduce drunk driving by increasing the use of an ignition interlock device that blocks vehicles from starting if the driver isn’t sober.
Senate Bill 85, sponsored by 3rd District Sen. Whitney Westerfield, R-Hopkinsville, would expand Kentucky’s ignition interlock law to apply to all drunk drivers, and is supported by a diverse partnership that includes Mothers Against Drunk Driving, prosecutors, traffic safety stakeholders, and state officials.
The group has been working to update Kentucky’s ignition interlock program, which started in 2015, with legislation that requires repeat drunk driving offenders and first offenders with a .15 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or higher to install the breathalyzer devices on any motor vehicles they operate.
The bill stalled at a recent House Judiciary Committee meeting, but the measure came up again Wednesday, with committee members voting to move the bill along in the process. The proposal now heads to the House, where, if passed, would return to the Senate for consideration of any changes made to the bill by House members.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000
