Intoxicated driving is a serious issue across the United States. Drugs and alcohol infiltrate a person’s bloodstream and lessen their ability to act rationally. Their senses become dulled, reaction times decrease, and they become more prone to reckless behavior. Because intoxicated driving has the potential to harm or kill, various penalties are associated with a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) conviction. A notable consequence of this crime is the required installation of an ignition interlock device. If you are facing drunk driving charges it is important that you acquire the help of a skilled lawyer to represent and defend you during your case. Contact a New City DWI defense attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options.
An ignition interlock device, or IID for short, is a device that is installed in an individual’s vehicle and prevents drunk driving. The device is hooked up to a car’s ignition system and includes a wire attached to a small breathalyzer. With the IID installed it is impossible to start the car without first blowing into the device and providing an alcohol-free breath sample. Once the driver has passed the breathalyzer test they can start their car. The device records all breath samples and reports them to the court.
While the engine is on and the car is moving the IID will request breath samples at random times. This feature is designed to prevent the driver from consuming alcohol after starting the car. If a breath test is not provided within the allotted time, the device records the incident and it may set off the car’s alarm, start honking the horn, or flash the lights until a clean breath sample is provided or the car is turned off.
The rules surrounding the use of an ignition interlock device reside under Leandra’s Law. Named after Leandra Rosado, an 11-year-old girl who was killed in a drunk driving accident in 2009, Leandra’s Law strengthened the penalties against drunk drivers.
Under this law, anyone convicted of a DWI after August 2010 will be required to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle. They will also have an IID restriction added to their license. Regardless of the degree of crime or whether or not an accident occurred, anyone sentenced for driving while intoxicated must use an IID.
The costs you will incur as a result of your IID installation will vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle, how long you are required to have the device, and the installer that you choose.
Installation generally costs anywhere from $100 to $200. While you have it installed you must pay a monthly maintenance fee that is generally around $100 per month. Finally, once you have served the duration of your penalty it will cost around $100 to $200 to have the device removed.
Speak to an attorney for more information and assistance during your DWI case.
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