This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

ST. LOUIS — A Missouri bill that has not yet made it out of committee would require the installation of ignition interlock devices after someone’s first conviction for driving under the influence.

Under Missouri House Bill 1680, courts could order the devices for at least six months after a first conviction.

The bill’s sponsor, Kansas City-area state Rep. Mark Sharp, said he’s hopeful the change will force potentially impaired drivers to consider other options, including ride-share services or calling someone else for help.

The bill was heard in the House Committee on Crime Prevention, where the Missouri chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving testified in support.

“An ignition interlock is more effective than license suspension alone, as up to 75 percent of convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license. License suspension with the use of an interlock is our best hope for stopping repeat drunk driving,” Allyson Summers, the organization’s regional director wrote in testimony for the bill.

According to MADD, 34 states plus Washington D.C. have all-offender laws on the books.