Protecting Missourians from Drunk Drivers
Capitol Report from State Representative Bob Onder, District 13
February 4, 2008
St. Charles County
For the thousands of Missourians who have had their lives changed through the actions of a drunk driver, there is no punishment that could fit the crime. To prevent this heartache for other families in our state, we should be doing all we can to make sure drunk drivers stay off our roads.
Drunk drivers with repeat offenses pose one of the greatest threats to our state’s safety. More than half of drivers arrested for drunk driving are repeat offenders, according to a 2003 AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study. I serve on the House Transportation Committee, where we heard a bill that would require individuals convicted of driving while intoxicated to modify their vehicle ignition switches before their driver’s licenses could be reinstated. The device requires users to blow into a mouthpiece, which determines the amount of alcohol in their breath. If that amount is over a certain limit, the user’s car will not start.
Under current law, courts have the option of mandating ignition interlock devices for repeat offenders, but there has been poor compliance. In 2005, only 19 percent of repeat offenders in Missouri were required by the courts to install interlock devices. Fewer than 200 are used in the state right now. This is despite the fact that we have 118,000 Missourians with repeat offenses.
This legislation would strengthen the existing ignition interlock law, and require that drunk drivers with repeat offenses file proof that that his or her vehicle is equipped with a functioning, certified ignition interlock device. If the individual fails to maintain such proof, the restricted driving privilege would be terminated. The law would also restrict the repeat offender from driving any other vehicle. We already have a law in place that makes it illegal to manipulate an interlock device to allow someone with a restricted license to drive.
The legislation is modeled after similar legislation passed in New Mexico, where the number of repeat offenders decreased nearly 70 percent after the law went into effect. Other states, including Arizona and Louisiana, have similar laws in place. We hope to have similar results here with this common sense prevention tool.
Although there is no easy solution to the problem of drunken driving, ignition interlock devices appear to be one of the most highly effective. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) says there is strong research that breath alcohol ignition interlock devices are one of the most effective ways to keep convicted drunk drivers from continuing to drink and drive.
This legislation appears to have strong bipartisan support, and I believe there is a very good chance we will pass this legislation this year. There is nothing we can do to bring back people who have been killed by a drunk driver. What we can do is take steps to prevent this from happening to other Missouri families.
Robert F. “Dr. Bob” Onder, State Representative, District 13
Bob.Onder@house.mo.gov
201 West Capitol Avenue, 201E
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-3572
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