Major DUI Change – Ignition Interlock All Around
Virginia DUI / DWI law just had a radical change. Effective July 1 of this year (2012), EVERYONE convicted of a first offense DWI must get ignition interlock in order to have a restricted license.
Yep, I’m serious. The bill is HB 279.
This is a big departure from prior law. Currently, first offenders only have to get ignition interlock if their blood alcohol is proven to be 0.15 or higher. If you are convicted of a low level first offense DUI, you are eligible for a restricted license without the interlock requirement.
But now everyone who is convicted of any DUI will have to get interlock in order to drive on a restricted license.
If you’re not familiar with ignition interlock, it’s the machine that gets installed in the vehicle that requires the driver to blow before the car will start.
Not only is interlock a pain to have installed, drive with, and take to the interlock facility for data downloads, but it’s expensive. This will create yet another burden for someone who is convicted of DUI. Some folks certainly think that’s a good idea, but I think it’s a severe burden on people who just barely are convicted of a DUI for a low level blood alcohol reading.
There is one silver lining to this change. For first offense DUI, the interlock requirement is only for restricted licenses. If a person doesn’t want to drive at all during their year of license suspension, they don’t have to get ignition interlock. Under current law, a person convicted of a 0.15 or higher BAC first offense DUI has to get ignition interlock in order to ever drive again in Virginia.
Is that clear as mud? Typical Virginia laws.
Here’s the bottom line: as of July 1, 2012, everyone convicted of DUI will have to get ignition interlock in order to have a restricted license.
Photo by VCU CNS
