Will Oklahoma Improve Their Ignition Interlock Law with the Impaired Driving Elimination Act?

Oklahoma could be the next state to enhance their Ignition Interlock laws that affect DUI offenders.

Oklahoma Ignition Interlock Law: The Impaired Driving Elimination Act

Senate Bill 643 is coined as the “Impaired Driving Elimination Act“ (IDEA2).

If IDEA2 goes into effect, first-time DUI offenders can reduce their one-year license suspension period in half by attending treatment and installing an Ignition Interlock into their vehicle for six months. In addition, second-time offenders will be required as a condition of bond to install an Ignition Interlock Device. The details of this bill could change, however.

Ignition Interlocks are breathalyzers that show the user’s breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) before they can start their vehicle. If the device reads a BrAC reading above its set limit, the vehicle will not start. Currently, 30 states and D.C. enforce an all-offender Ignition Interlock law.

IDEA2 is in talks to be enforced under the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) with the newly created Impaired Driver Accountability Program (IDAP).

Will IDEA2 Reduce Drunk Driving in Oklahoma?

Some may see IDEA2 as a way for offenders to drive again sooner rather than later. However, according to multiple nationwide studies and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Ignition Interlocks will keep Oklahoma’s roadways safer than a suspended license. For instance, MADD says individuals with a suspended license continue to drive, and they could continue to do so impaired.

With stronger Ignition Interlock laws such as IDEA2, Oklahoma should see a change for the better on their roads. Read more about Oklahoma’s all-offender Ignition Interlock law that took effect this year.

Need an Ignition Interlock?

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