Lana Harrison welcomes Missouri’s new interlock ignition law.
Harrison’s 19-year-old daughter, Shelly Fuerst, was killed in an accident involving a repeat drunk driver in 1989.
Starting Wednesday, Missouri will require people to install interlocks in their vehicles if they have two or more convictions for drunk driving.
It also applies to people who’ve been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter while driving intoxicated.
“It’s a dream come true,” Harrison said. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. It’s needed.”
“The Missouri Legislature has taken a strict stand on drunk driving,“ said Sgt. Brent Bernhardt of the Missouri Highway Patrol. “Anything we can do to remove the intoxicated driver is a good thing.”
Interlocks keep engines from starting until drivers breathe into a detector that measures blood alcohol content.
If they’re drunk, the car won’t start. Tests also are required about every 15 minutes while the engine is running to make sure a driver remains sober.
Data is recorded and can be monitored by authorities.
The state estimates 70,000 people will be affected, including those who lost their licenses a decade ago and are just now eligible to drive again.
Last month, the Missouri Department of Revenue sent letters to prior offenders and plans another round of notices after July 4.
Offenders who drive without the devices after July 1 face an additional two-year license suspension.
Violators must pay for installing the interlocks in their vehicles. The cost can range from $30 to $200, and monthly rental fees can run as high as $100.
Missouri advocates for stronger drunk driving laws call the measure a start.
“This is definitely a good first step,” Harrison said. “I’m sure there will be more as time goes on.”
Many would like to see a law similar to the one that took affect Jan. 1 in Illinois.
It required interlocks for first-time offenders.
Illinois is one of only four states with such a law. New Mexico had a 12 percent decrease in alcohol-related traffic deaths after similar guidelines were passed in 2005.
Arizona and Louisiana are the other two states with monitor laws.
In Missouri, first-time offenders lose their licenses for 30 days, followed by a 60-day restricted driving privilege.
The Illinois law still takes away the licenses of convicted offenders for 30 days, but they’re allowed back on the road if they pay to have interlocks installed.
The state checks the devices monthly and charges maintenance fees to the offenders, who must blow into the gadget each time they try to drive.
Illinois expects 45,000 monitors will be installed during 2009.
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Lana Harrison welcomes Missouri’s new interlock ignition law.
Harrison’s 19-year-old daughter, Shelly Fuerst, was killed in an accident involving a repeat drunk driver in 1989.
Starting Wednesday, Missouri will require people to install interlocks in their vehicles if they have two or more convictions for drunk driving.
It also applies to people who’ve been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter while driving intoxicated.
“It’s a dream come true,” Harrison said. “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. It’s needed.”
“The Missouri Legislature has taken a strict stand on drunk driving,“ said Sgt. Brent Bernhardt of the Missouri Highway Patrol. “Anything we can do to remove the intoxicated driver is a good thing.”
Interlocks keep engines from starting until drivers breathe into a detector that measures blood alcohol content.
If they’re drunk, the car won’t start. Tests also are required about every 15 minutes while the engine is running to make sure a driver remains sober.
Data is recorded and can be monitored by authorities.
The state estimates 70,000 people will be affected, including those who lost their licenses a decade ago and are just now eligible to drive again.
Last month, the Missouri Department of Revenue sent letters to prior offenders and plans another round of notices after July 4.
Offenders who drive without the devices after July 1 face an additional two-year license suspension.
Violators must pay for installing the interlocks in their vehicles. The cost can range from $30 to $200, and monthly rental fees can run as high as $100.
Missouri advocates for stronger drunk driving laws call the measure a start.
“This is definitely a good first step,” Harrison said. “I’m sure there will be more as time goes on.”
Many would like to see a law similar to the one that took affect Jan. 1 in Illinois.
It required interlocks for first-time offenders.
Illinois is one of only four states with such a law. New Mexico had a 12 percent decrease in alcohol-related traffic deaths after similar guidelines were passed in 2005.
Arizona and Louisiana are the other two states with monitor laws.
In Missouri, first-time offenders lose their licenses for 30 days, followed by a 60-day restricted driving privilege.
The Illinois law still takes away the licenses of convicted offenders for 30 days, but they’re allowed back on the road if they pay to have interlocks installed.
The state checks the devices monthly and charges maintenance fees to the offenders, who must blow into the gadget each time they try to drive.
Illinois expects 45,000 monitors will be installed during 2009.
