Is bound to get a little bit safer with the new law put into effect for the people who can't stop drinking and driving. This may very well prevent one of our members and family members from being killed. Nice job Missouri!

Quoted from KC STAR:

"Business is about to pick up for ignition interlock providers in Missouri.

A new state law takes effect Wednesday that requires people with two or more drunk-driving convictions to install the devices on their vehicles for six months in order to get their license back.

The Missouri Department of Revenue says about 70,000 people in the state will be affected.

An interlock is a breath-testing device connected to a car’s ignition system. The driver must blow into the device before the car will start. An alcohol content above a prescribed level will disable the vehicle.

The law is good news for Mothers Against Drunk Driving and other traffic safety advocates.

“If you’re convicted twice, shame on you because you didn’t get it the first time,” said Avis Lowe, a MADD victim’s advocate whose 27-year-old son was a pedestrian killed by a repeat drunk driver in downtown Kansas City in 1995.

But the law is only a partial victory for advocates like MADD spokesman Mike Boland of St. Louis, who wanted the ignition interlock required for first-time convicted drunk drivers, such as in New Mexico and Arizona.

“I believe they’ve seen an almost 25 percent reduction in fatalities,” Boland said. “But even if we’re looking at a 10 percent reduction in Missouri, if you’re that one family and that knock is not coming at your door, that’s a great reduction.”

The Department of Revenue in May sent letters to people potentially affected by the new law and will send another round after the July 4 holiday, said Ted Farnen, director of communications.

The law will affect future repeat offenders of Missouri’s alcohol-related driving laws as well as past repeat offenders who have not had their driving privileges reinstated by July 1.

The Missouri Department of Transportation has a list of certified ignition interlock providers. The offenders are responsible for paying for the system, just as they are with other court costs."