For Immediate Release
Contact: Kathy Groob
February 9, 2010
859-291-9001
Frankfort, KY—Today the Appropriations and Revenue Committee of the House of Representatives voted in favor of House Bill 58, which requires first-time drunk drivers to use an ignition interlock device. Clearing this hurdle, the legislation is now expected to move to the House floor for a vote possibly within the next week. Representative Dennis Keene, the bill’s sponsor, and Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) spokesperson Angela Criswell spoke in favor of the bill
Hou
se Bill 58 will help deter, prevent and curb drunk driving in Kentucky,” said Angela Criswell. “Requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers is the first step in preventing deaths and injuries due to the 100 percent preventable violent crime of drunk driving.”
Representative Dennis Keene (D-Wilder), the sponsor of House Bill 58, co-sponsors, victims and supporters will rally at the Capitol Rotunda on Thursday February 18, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. in support of passage of the DUI legislation in the full House and Senate. The legislation will require that first-time DUI offenders install an ignition interlock device on their automobile or risk losing their driver’s license. Twelve states already require interlock devices; Kentucky would become the 13th state.
“On behalf of Kentucky’s families, I am willing to take this bold step forward in preventing drunken driving fatalities,” said Rep. Keene. “It will hopefully keep offenders from getting behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated and keep children, parents and friends from losing loved ones to avoidable and tragic circumstances.”
Under the legislation, an ignition interlock device shall be imposed on the first offense of driving under the influence. In 2008, nearly 200 people lost their lives in Kentucky due to drunk drivers. Over 34,000 were arrested in 2008 for drunk driving in Kentucky.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, more than 500 of Ohio’s worst repeat DUI offenders have moved to border states to avoid the tougher drunk driving laws in Ohio. 254 of those repeat offenders have moved to Kentucky.
New Mexico passed similar legislation that has led to a 35% drop in drunk driving deaths since its passage. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), 13,000 people lost their lives in drunk driving accidents in 2007.
“This legislation is a public protection act that will help make our roads safer while saving many lives. I am very proud to champion this legislation and look forward to the governor signing House Bill 58 into law,” said Rep. Keene.
Representative Dennis Keene nearly lost his daughter in a drunk driving accident in 2002. She required three subsequent surgeries in order to overcome her injuries. Keene represents the 67 House District in Campbell County and has deep family roots in Breathitt County in Eastern Kentucky. He owns a business, Country Living Homes, located in Grant County and is an economic development advisor for Southbank Partners.
Currently seven ignition interlock device manufacturers are approved to do business in Kentucky and upon passage of H.B. 58; more providers are expected to enter the state.
For more information, visit: www.DennisKeene.com.
Currently 52 Co-sponsors to-date which include the following:
Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark
Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins
Majority Caucus Chair Robert Damron
Representative Royce Adams
Representative John Arnold
Representative Thomas Burch
Representative Dwight Butler
Representative John Carney
Representative Mike Cherry
Representative Leslie Combs
Representative James Comer
Representative Wil Coursey
Representative Ron Crimm
Representative Myron Dossett
Representative Ted Edmonds
Representative C.B. Embry
Representative Tim Firkins
Representative Danny Ford
Representative Jim Glenn
Representative Jim Gooch
Representative Derrick Graham
Representative Jeff Greer
Representative Keith Hall
Representative Mike Harmon
Representative Richard Henderson
Representative Melvin Henley
Representative Charlie Hoffman
Representative Dennis Horlander
Representative Thomas Kerr
Representative Martha Jane King
Representative Adam Koenig
Representative Jimmie Lee
Representative Thomas McKee
Representative Charles Miller
Representative Rick Nelson
Representative Marie Rader
Representative Rick Rand
Representative Jody Richards
Representative Carl Rollins
Representative Sal Santoro
Representative Charles Siler
Representative Dottie Sims
Representative Kevin Sinnette
Representative Ancel Smith
Representative Fitz Steele
Representative Kent Stevens
Representative Jim Stewart
Representative Wilson Stone
Representative Tommy Thompson
Representative David Watkins
Representative Ron Weston
Representative Susan Westrom