Under current Florida law, drivers convicted of their second DUI are required to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle. Depending on the circumstances of the DUI case for first time offenders (mainly 
whether the drivers’ breath or blood test above .15), Florida courts also impose this obligation. This may all change if the National Transportation Safety Board gets its way.
The Bradenton Herald reports that the NTSB wants anyone convicted of a DUI to have an ignition interlock device installed in their car for a given period of time. That’s right, this would include first time offenders as well. Believing that this all-encompassing requirement would prevent close to 7,000 drunken-driving deaths a year, the NTSB characterizes the ignition interlock device as “the best available solution to reducing drunken driving deaths.”
To bring you up to speed, an interlock device requires the driver to blow into it in order to start his or her car. The device also requires the driver to randomly blow into it during their drive to check on his or her sobriety. Each breath into the ignition interlock device is then transmitted to the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles. If the device reads a certain BAC, the car will not start and the results of the negative data will be sent to the Florida DMV.
The unanimous recommendation by the NTSB board came after a recent wave of wrong way freeway accidents, all of which involved a drunk driver. The logic behind the suggestion is simple—limit the ability for a DUI offender to drive drunk and greatly reduce potentially fatal wrong way driving incidents as well as other accidents.
But is requiring the installation of an ignition interlock device for any and all DUI offenders too harsh? Many seem to think so. The Bradenton Herald quotes Sarah Longwell of the American Beverage Institute, “First time drunk drivers with blood alcohol levels that are less than double the legal limit should be treated differently than drivers with higher alcohol levels and repeat offenders. This [law] would eliminate people’s ability to have a glass of wine with dinner or to have a beer at a ballgame and drive home.”
Not only is the ignition interlock device incredibly inconvenient but installation and upkeep get expensive, especially if you are required to have the device for a long period of time. Here’s a look at the costs you will incur if you have to have an ignition interlock device installed on your car:
- $70– installation fee
- $67.50 — monthly monitoring and recalibration
- $100– refundable deposit
We will keep you posted on this important development in Florida DUI news. The attorneys at Finebloom & Haenel know how annoying every punishment attached to a DUI conviction can be, including the ignition interlock device. If you or a loved one has recently been charged with a DUI offense, give us a call today. We will explain the process to you and go over your legal options. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
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