A bill that could possibly put the “lock” on drunk driving in Kentucky is having trouble getting through the state senate.

The bill is co-sponsored by Middlesboro State Representative Rick Nelson (D). Nelson said the bill is currently stalled in the senate.

House Bill 58 will require first-time DUI offenders to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicles or risk losing their driver’s license.

Rep. Dennis Keene (D), of the 67th district in Campbell County, is the sponsor of the bill.

Keene nearly lost his daughter in a drunk driving accident in 2002. She required three subsequent surgeries in order to overcome her injuries.

The ignition interlock is already required in 12 other states, and if passed, would make Kentucky the 13th state.

“It will hopefully keep offenders from getting behind the wheel of a car while intoxicated and keep children, parents and friends from losing loved ones to avoidable and tragic circumstances,” said Keene in a press release.

Currently, seven ignition interlock device manufacturers are approved to do business in Kentucky and upon passage of H.B. 58; more providers are expected to enter the state.

Just in Kentucky, nearly 200 people lost their lives to drunk drivers in 2008, according to statistics.

There were 34,000 drunk driving arrests and 32,000 convictions in the Commonwealth in 2008, as well.

Statistics show that 254 repeat DUI offenders moved to Kentucky to avoid Ohio’s tough drunk driving laws.

The price of ignition interlock devices vary, but averages about $3 per day. Those costs are paid by convicted DUI offenders.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) support the ignition interlock legislation.

Contact Staff Writer Stephen Woodward at swoodward@middlesborodailynews.com.