Report: Kansas DUI Fatalities Drop Following Ignition Interlock Requirement

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Preliminary results show alcohol-related traffic fatalities dropped in the year since the state began requiring an ignition interlock for those convicted of drunken driving. The Kansas Department of Transportation reported Friday that the state recorded 59 alcohol-related traffic fatalities between July 1, 2011 — when the law took effect — and June 30 of this year. That compares with 125 and 137, respectively, for the previous two years. The law requires those with a DUI conviction to install a device that drivers blow into to show their blood-alcohol level is below .04 before their vehicles will start. Pete Bodyk, traffic safety manager for KDOT, told The Lawrence Journal-World the fatality numbers will probably increase but he expects data to continue to show a significant decline since the law began.