Advocates has joined other safety organizations to call for the Missouri Senate Committee on the Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence to advance Senate Bill 353 and House Bill 273. These bills will require drunk drivers who enter into a diversion program agreement to utilize an ignition interlock device. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the issue of drunk driving in Missouri is worsening. In 2022, 290 people were killed in drunk driving crashes in Missouri, a 23% increase from pre-pandemic numbers from 2019.
Ignition interlocks are an effective and valuable tool to provide accountability for program participants, while incentivizing behavior change. Ignition interlocks allow offenders in diversion agreements to participate fully in their daily lives, support their families, and participate in their communities while ensuring sober driving. We strongly urge you to pass this bill for safer roads and to save lives.
Read the full letter here.