The Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, a national not-for-profit organization funded by distillers that leads the fight to eliminate drunk driving and underage drinking, recognized Representative Dennis Keene (D-KY, District 67) with its 2015 Leadership Award.
During his tenure in the Kentucky House of Representatives, the organization says, Keene has shown an “outstanding commitment to fighting drunk driving.”
Representative Keene sponsored House Bill 60, which was enacted into law and supported by the foundation. The new law adds an interlock license for DUI offenders and increases time on ignition interlock devices for first offenses, previously held at 30 days, to six months.
To date, all 50 states have passed some form of interlock legislation and achieved different degrees of program implementation.
Currently, 25 states and four counties in California have passed mandatory interlock provisions for all DUI offenses, including first offenses. The organization says, however, that more work is needed to strengthen existing practices and increase program participation rates. Interlocks are installed by only 22 percent of individuals arrested for DUI.
“Ignition interlock devices are highly effective for DUI offenders while they are installed and are most effective in reducing recidivism when coupled with assessment and treatment,” said Ralph Blackman, president and CEO of Responsibility.org. “We applaud Representative Keene for his longtime dedication and leadership to prevent drunk driving. The passage of this law will increase the use of ignition interlocks in Kentucky and will hopefully save lives.”