The Penalty for Drunk Driving in Missouri may soon be more harsh

The Show-Me State of Missouri is looking to make the roads safer in their state by making the penalty for a first-time DUI offender harsher than it currently is now.

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According to abc17news.com, there is a bill called House Bill 1680 that is proposing stricter penalties for first-time DUI offenders. The current law in Missouri is that if you are found guilty of DUI after having previously been convicted of alcohol-related crimes that you would have to have an ignition interlock device put in your car (those are the things that prevent you from turning on your car until you blow into them to prove you are not over the legal limit).

This new bill 1680 would change it to if you get a DUI you have to have an ignition interlock device put in your car. In the article, they say...

"Thirty-four states and Washington, D.C., have similar laws in place. In Kansas, drunk driving deaths decreased by 40% after implementing a first-time offender ignition interlock law, according to Mothers Against Drunk Driving."

To read the complete article for yourself click here! 

I think it is great that Missouri is doing this, I have lost a friend due to a drunk driver, drunk driving has affected so many of our lives, and the penalties for driving under the influence should be harsh. In the world we live in with Uber, Lyft, taxi cabs, and so many other ways to get yourself to and from where you are drinking, there is very little excuse for driving while under the influence, and I do think the harsher the penalties get for drinking and driving the more it will prevent people from doing it and keep our roads safe.