Kansas House Passes Bill to Strengthen DUI Law

March 25, 2010

Motorists convicted of a first drunken-driving offense would have to install ignition interlock devices on their vehicles for a year under a bill passed by the Kansas House.

The 122-0 vote returns the measure to the Senate, which passed it earlier but must consider House changes.

Supporters believe the bill will reduce deaths and accidents related to drunken driving.

Ignition interlock devices prevent a car from starting if the driver’s blood-alcohol level is at least half the legal limit of 0.08 percent.

Kansas already requires the devices for people who are convicted of a second DUI, refuse a Breathalyzer test after being stopped or register a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 percent or greater.