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Drunk Driving Law - Ignition Interlock Device Questions
Baltimore, Annapolis, Glen Burnie, and Ellicott City, Maryland
What is an ignition interlock device?
An ignition interlock device is a piece of equipment about the size of a cell phone that is attached to your ignition system in your vehicle. It is attached if you have been charged with a DUI, and requires you to blow into it to start your vehicle. If your blood-alcohol content is over .02, your vehicle will not start. You must also blow into it every few minutes while driving to prove that no alcohol is in your system. Called a rolling or running test, this keeps a friend from blowing into the system and then allowing the impaired driver back behind the wheel. If the device registers alcohol, the engine will shut off for longer and longer periods of time between tests.
Does an ignition interlock device really prevent drunk driving?
Studies have shown that between the device and a monitoring program, recidivism reduction is between 40 and 95 percent. Repeat drunk drivers will have a much more difficult time starting their car with an ignition interlock device installed, keeping them off the road until they no longer have alcohol in their system.
Who decides if an ignition interlock device is necessary?
Depending on the particular situation, an ignition interlock device may be ordered by the court or the motor vehicle administration. Other times it may be up to the individual. They may be given the choice between keeping the device in their car for a year or face a long suspension of their driver’s license. If your vehicle is your only mode of transportation, and gets you to work, an ignition interlock device is a good idea. While a suspended license doesn’t keep people from driving, if they are caught, the consequences can be very serious.
What if the driver is taking medicine with an alcohol base or has used mouthwash?
Because the device is built to register any level of alcohol and obviously cannot discern where the alcohol has come from, the ignition will shut off. Alcohol is alcohol, and the driver will fail the test if they have it in their system. Drivers who are having the ignition interlock device installed are warned about this beforehand. The best course of action is to avoid alcohol in all forms.
What happens to the ignition integration device if I need to have my vehicle repaired?
If you have further questions about the ignition interlock device that were not answered here, please contact the experienced DUI attorneys, Gregory P. Jimeno and Frank C. Gray, Jr., at Jimeno & Gray. We serve the Baltimore, Annapolis, Glen Burnie, and Columbia, Maryland area.