Mothers Against Drunk Driving is renewing its push for tougher DWI laws in Missouri.
The group wants ignition interlock devices required for all offenders convicted of drunk driving.
Tabitha Perkins, MADD’s Missouri executive director, told Missourinet that they see the devices as a strong deterrent.
“And it’s a life saving measure to make sure that repeat offenders and first-time offenders of DWI are learning a lesson and that they are getting in a vehicle in a sober manner,” said Pekins.
Missouri currently requires ignition interlock devices only for repeat DWI offenders, unlike many neighboring states such as Kansas and Illinois, which mandate them for all convicted offenders — including first-time cases.
Perkins told Missourinet that the group also want lawmakers to make it mandatory for offenders to attend victim impact panel classes.
“They would listen to a victim that has been impacted by impaired driving,” said Perkins. “And so we’re hoping for between the VIPs (Victim Impact Panels), and the ignition interlocks becoming mandatory that we can get those passed and then that we would see a significant reduction in DWI arrests in the state of Missouri.”
The Missouri legislative session for 2026 is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, January 7th.
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