Under current Pennsylvania law, repeat DUI offenders are required to install ignition interlock devices in their vehicles. Now, a bill moving through the Pennsylvania state Senate would extend that requirement to all people who are convicted of drunk driving, even if it is their first DUI offense.

Ignition interlocks are devices installed in vehicles which test a driver's blood alcohol level every time he or she starts the car. The driver must blow into the device, and if it senses alcohol above a certain limit, the car will not start. Generally, the driver must pay to install the device as a well as pay a monthly fee to keep it operational, both of which can be very costly.

Under the proposed law, first-time DUI offenders would be eligible for an "occupational limited license" after 15 days of a drivers license suspension. That license, which would allow them to drive to work or school, would only be an option if the driver installed an ignition interlock device in his or her vehicle. The law would also increase the fee for an occupational limited license, doubling it from $50 to $100.

Currently, the law allows limited licenses to be issued to first-time offenders after 60 days with no ignition interlock requirement. Repeat offenders are also required to install the devices in their vehicles.

Earlier this week, the ignition interlock bill was approved by the Senate Transportation Committee. It will now be heard in the full Senate. We will continue to update our blog with any new developments in the law.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "Bill mandating breath-testers for DUI offenders advances," Jon Schmitz, Oct. 18, 2011