IID and DUI Prosecution in California
In the past 30 years, drunk driving caused more than 1 million injuries and 50 thousand fatal incidents. These numbers are used by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, a nonprofit organization that is often behind tougher laws in California and the United States for DUIs, to drive tough prosecution of DUI cases. MADD says that in the state of California, the DUI problem is very urgent because the amounts of DUI crashes increase each year. However, there is a very effective way to fight driving under the influence without harsh prosecution: the ignition interlock device. This newer technology is being adopted in many countries and California.
The IID law was initially adopted only in 4 California counties – Los Angeles, Tulare, Alameda, and Sacramento. In these counties, drivers convicted of DUIs had to install ignition interlock devices in cars while driving. The law required installation of IID for 6 months upon the first conviction. This period requiring an IID in the car increases with each subsequent DUI conviction up to the maximum of 3 years for non-injury DUI convictions and up to 4 years of IID for injury DUI convictions. The initial 4-counties IID program covered 13 million people.
In their statement, Mothers Against Drunk Driving stated that ignition interlock devices (IID) prevented more than 1 million attempts to drive while intoxicated in California. That proved to them that IIDs are capable of decreasing the number of drunk drivers on the roads. Because of that Senator Jerry Hill proposed a new legislation, which passed and increased existing IID law to a statewide status.
Senator in his proposal pointed out that alcohol checkpoints and monitoring measures won’t prevent cars from starting, as they can only stop drunk drivers’ habits for a while. Hill in his press release said that both the state and drunk drivers will benefit from the new law. DUI offenders will be able to get back to driving faster thanks to the IID. The legislation means a decrease in fines for DUI since the court will encourage the accused to install IID in their cars. The bill was backed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NHTSA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention, which opined that all who are caught drunk driving should install IID in their vehicles.
MADD supported Hill’s proposal, as the main goal of the organization is preventing drunk driving which, they believe, can be achieved through IID legislation in California. MADD has gathered ignition interlock pilot program statistics and found that IID prevented more than 1.77 million impaired drivers from using their vehicles. In California, 124,000 attempts of driving over the limit were stopped.
Hill’s legislation allows DUI offenders to avoid driver’s license suspension, which can cost drivers their job. IID program is thus a mild punishment for drunk drivers, but it can also help to fight against offenders who ignore charges and drive on suspected licenses. According to MADD statistics, 50 to 75 percent of convicted of impaired driving continue to commit violations.
Senator’s bill was passed because IID is effective in reducing drunk driving in Los Angeles. Also, the states that have similar laws get federal funding. California for example received $1.9 million in its budget.
However, the California Department of Motor Vehicles opposes the legislation. They believe that current Dui charges are effective and that obliging drivers to use IID won’t stop them from committing the same crime over and over. “The DMV and the state government, using hope [meaning IID installation] as a strategy to fight drunk driving, are not going to stop drunk driving.”
IID is not available for drug DUI cases and a person convicted of a DUI has to serve the suspension period without the ability to get a restricted license with an IID.
The ignition interlock bill also attracted IID market leaders. Intoxalock, a company that developed its state-of-the-art ignition interlock device with Iowa State University, backed Hill’s proposal. This company currently services offenders who are required to install IID in 41 states, and California may be the new area of Intoxalock’s activity. The ignition interlock industry expanded threefold in the last 10 years. It is expected to keep growing, as IID DUI legislation develops.
The ignition interlock device is an effective way to prevent drunk driving. But, a Los Angeles DUI defense attorney will help you defend your Los Angeles DUI. Call Los Angeles DUI Attorney if you are facing DUI charges in Los Angeles, DUI charges in Orange County, DUI charges in San Bernardino, and DUI charges in Ventura County. We provide qualified defense at an affordable rate with great payment plans starting at as little as $500.00. Our direct number is (323) 464-6424.
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