HARRISBURG, April 21 – State Rep. Tom Houghton hosted a news conference today to discuss a bill he authored that would require certain first-time DUI offenders to have their vehicles equipped with an ignition interlock device and increase the required time period for ignition interlock to third and later offenders.
 
The bill, H.B. 914, which was reported out by the House Transportation Committee this morning, has garnered bipartisan support. Houghton was joined by Reps. Paul Clymer, R-Bucks, and Seth Grove, R-York, who, he said, have been instrumental in drafting this legislation.
 
"Statistics show that nearly one-third of drunk driving incidents are repeat offenders, but that the use of ignition interlock systems decrease this risk by 65 percent," Houghton said. "My legislation aims to improve safety on our roadways by helping to further eliminate the practice of drinking and driving."
 
Houghton said his legislation toughens current law based on statistics from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration that show 57 percent of all alcohol-related fatalities involved a driver with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .15 percent or higher. House Bill 914 would require ignition interlocks for first-time offenders with a BAC of .10 percent or higher.