COLUMBUS – Governor John Kasich has signed into law a measure that increases the use of ignition interlocks for first-time drunk-driving offenders.
“Annie’s Law,” approved by the General Assembly unanimously on Dec. 6., cuts a 12-month driver’s license suspension in half for first offenders who use an ignition interlock for at least six months.
The law takes effect April 4.
Doug Scoles, executive director of MADD Ohio, discusses Annie’s Law
“[Mothers Against Drunk Driving is grateful to Governor Kasich and the dedicated legislators who share our mission to eliminate this 100 percent preventable crime,” said MADD national president Colleen Sheehey-Church.
Ignition interlocks prevent a car from starting when alcohol is detected by a built-in breathalyzer.
One of MADD’s top legislative priorities is to improve ignition interlock laws in every state, Sheehy-Church said.
Unlike license suspensions and restrictions on routes and time behind the wheel called for under the current law, the use of ignition interlocks allow for unrestricted driving, provided the driver is sober.
Annie’s Law is named in honor of Annie Rooney, a Chillicothe resident who was killed by a drunk driver on July 4, 2013.
Sheehy-Church says states with the strongest ignition interlock laws, such as West Virginia and New Mexico which require them for all drunk driving offenders, have seen significant reductions in drunk driving deaths.