Ignition interlock device bills heads to the Kentucky House

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- A bill that could reduce drunk driving in Kentucky is now heading to the Kentucky House for a vote.

Senate Bill 85, backed by Kentucky’s bourbon industry and Mothers Against Drunk Driving, would increase the use of the ignition interlock device, which blocks the car from starting if the driver isn’t sober.

“This bill will definitely be a deterrent for those who decide to make that choice to drive. I feel like it’s going to affect our community, it’ll affect everyone,” said Amy Stillwell, program coordinator at Drug Free Warren County.

The measure would update the state’s current ignition interlock device laws to include everyone convicted of a DUI, not just repeat offenders.

“They don’t realize that being buzzed is drunk driving period. They’re like ‘oh I can do this. I got this.’ Rather than take the time to call a taxi cab, or an Uber or a Lyft. They’re going to try to do it themselves,” said Stillwell.

For those who think after one or two drinks they can still get in the car and drive, this new device would prevent them from doing that.

“It’ll keep the folks that make the choice to do it from getting in the car, and then it’ll keep everybody else safer because they don’t have to worry about being hit by a drunk driver,” said Stillwell.

Some of the opponents to the bill have complained that it will increase insurance rates for people previously convicted of a DUI.

The only thing I saw in reading it, that it’ll be brought up as an issue is people having insurance. If they have to pay higher prices for the insurance, then that’s a consequence for the choice they made,” said Stillwell.

If the proposal passes the House, it will return to the Senate once again, so that they can consider changes made by House members.