PA ignition interlock law takes effect next year

Posted 8/21/12

HARRISBURG PA — Pennsylvania state senators John Rafferty and Sean D. Wiley hosted a news conference with local officials and advocacy groups on July 28 to show their support for Pennsylvania’s …

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PA ignition interlock law takes effect next year

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HARRISBURG PA — Pennsylvania state senators John Rafferty and Sean D. Wiley hosted a news conference with local officials and advocacy groups on July 28 to show their support for Pennsylvania’s new ignition interlock law, saying it will save lives and prevent repeat drunk-driving attempts.

The new law will require most convicted first-time drunk drivers with illegal Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .10 or greater to use ignition interlocks for at least 12 months, effective in August 2017.

“Statistics in states that have similar laws clearly show the implementation of ignition interlock devices for first-time offenders significantly reduce drunk-driving fatalities,” said Rafferty, who sponsored the legislation in the senate. “The families of DUI victims have worked so hard to get this bill through. The legislature should be proud that they have done something that will save lives and prevent needless tragedies.”

“Act 33 will save lives—that is a fact. Each of us who has suffered the loss of a loved one knows the value in lessening the number of people who climb behind the wheel when alcohol-impaired, and ignition interlock systems work,” said Wiley, who lost a family member to a drunk-driving accident a few years ago. “Act 33 is a huge step in the right direction of curbing drunk driving, but this work is far from done and won’t be finished until alcohol-impaired driving is no longer an issue in this commonwealth.”

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