Impaired drivers crackdown continues

Ignition interlock systems required for repeat DUI offenders Harrisburg — More than 600 municipal police departments and Pennsylvania State Police will target impaired drivers during the national impaired driving campaign, which continues through Labor Day. Repeat DUI offenders are required to equip their vehicles with ignition interlock systems after serving a one-year license suspension. Ignition interlock requires drivers to blow into the device in order to start the vehicle. If the device detects alcohol, it prevents the vehicle from starting. The device also tests drivers at random times during the subsequent operation of the vehicle. Individuals are required to pay all program-related costs, which include installation, routine monitoring and maintenance of the interlock device at a service center. These costs average approximately $1,000. More than 5,700 Pennsylvania drivers currently have ignition interlock systems. Last year, these systems prevented more than 47,000 impaired driving attempts and logged more than 45-million sober miles driven. According to PennDOT, statewide there were more than 450 alcohol-related crashes and 16 fatalities on the weekends surrounding the Labor Day holiday last year.