In the Louisiana House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works, Advocates supports advancing Senate Bill (SB) 278 to upgrade the ignition interlock device (IID) law. SB 278 would require IID use by all convicted drunk driving offenders on any motor vehicle operated by the offender as a condition of license reinstatement.
Drunk driving is a deadly and costly threat to Louisiana families. In 2024, 192 people were needlessly killed in drunk driving crashes in Louisiana, accounting for 26 percent of traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Tragic, preventable crashes also created a national financial burden of $69 billion in economic costs in 2019.2 When updated for inflation only, that equates to $89.2 billion in 2026 dollars.
The American public strongly agrees that the use of IIDs is needed to address this public health crisis. Polling shows 69 to 88 percent of Americans support requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk driving offenders, even if it’s their first conviction.9 Furthermore, 82 percent of drunk driving offenders themselves believe the IID was effective in preventing them from driving after drinking.
Read the full letter here.
Advocates previously joined safety partners in writing in support of the legislation in an April letter.
Prior to that Advocates wrote to the Senate Transportation, Highways & Public Works Committee in support of the legislation in March.