Officials tout ignition interlock system for repeat DUI offenders

HOLLIDAYSBURG — About 200 drivers across the region go through a similar ritual every day.

They open their vehicle’s door, sit down, put the key in the ignition and blow into a tube. The vehicle won’t start if alcohol is detected on the driver’s breath.

That precaution, known as ignition interlock, is in place because each of the drivers is a repeat drunken driving offender.

Officials from PennDOT, state police, the Pennsylvania DUI Association and the Blair County DUI Task Force demonstrated the ignition interlock system Thursday at the PennDOT garage on North Juniata Street.

A judge doesn’t mandate the interlock system for a DUI conviction; PennDOT does under state law.

Not only do drivers have to use the interlock system for a year, they also pay for the cost of installing, monitoring and maintaining the system in their vehicles. The costs are about $1,000 each, Cathy Tress of the DUI Association said.

“If they can’t learn the lesson the first time, here’s what happens,” she said.

Despite the cost, ignition interlock also has a major benefit.

“In 2006, there were 31.1 million safe miles driven” because of the system, Tress said.

Ninety-five percent of those who have the system won’t be repeat offenders, she said.

The DUI offenders are permitted to drive under an Occupational Limited License, which has “ignition interlock” printed on it in bold letters.

“It brings attention to repeat offenders,” state police Sgt. John Romeo said. “It helps us key in on what may be an issue [during a vehicle stop].”

Members of the DUI Task Force haven’t seen many of the interlock systems and limited licenses, but the number is increasing, police Coordinator Christopher Cohn said.

“The license is the alert,” he said.

Even with the device, impaired drivers still try to drive, albeit unsuccessfully.

“In 2006, 28,716 attempts were made to drive impaired,” Tress said, but they were kept off the road because of the system.

Mirror Staff Writer Mark Leberfinger is at 946-7462.