‘Emma’s Law’ heading to SC governor’s desk

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A bill aimed at preventing more drunken driving deaths in South Carolina is heading to the governor’s desk.

The Senate voted 40-0 on Wednesday to agree to the House’s amendments, representing final legislative approval. The measure requires more people convicted of drunken driving to install a locking device that prevents their vehicle from starting if it detects alcohol.

It is named for 6-year-old Emma Longstreet, who died on New Year’s Day 2012 when a repeat-offender drunken driver struck her family’s minivan as they drove to church.

Under the bill, the first conviction for driving with a blood-alcohol content of 0.15 percent or greater would put an ignition interlock on a vehicle for six months. A second conviction at 0.08 percent would keep it on for two years.