Committee advances expanded ignition‑interlock requirement after victims urge action

Senate Bill 278, presented by Senator Evans, would expand the use of ignition‑interlock devices in DUI cases to close a loophole the sponsor described as undermining earlier reforms. Senator Evans said ignition interlocks have stopped more than 190,000 attempts to drive drunk and can reduce repeat offenses by as much as 70 percent.

The committee heard emotional testimony from Mothers Against Drunk Driving volunteers and family members of crash victims. "A suspended license is not going to stop them," Natalie Costello said, describing the driver who killed her daughter and urging senators to pass the bill. Paula Zachary, whose son was killed in 2007, told the panel, "Anything we can do, I do the victim impact panels... we have to do something." Shelby Bordelon, Miss Louisiana Port City, also described losing her lifelong best friend to an impaired driver and said she has made impaired‑driving prevention her platform.

Supporters told the committee the measure preserves existing diversion options but ensures that those who want to drive legally use interlocks rather than evade suspensions. The author said the bill aligns Louisiana with other states that have applied interlocks more broadly and pointed to an indigency program that can offset device costs for eligible defendants.

The committee moved SB278 favorably without objection and allowed victims and advocates more time to address senators before the vote. Senators on both sides expressed sympathy for families and an interest in reducing impaired driving recidivism.