Ignition Interlock Now Required For All California DUI Drivers

Drivers convicted of DUI in Los Angeles, Alameda, Sacramento and Tulare Counties are no longer the only Californians required to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles for a first-time DUI. On Wednesday, September 28th, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Senate Bill 1046, which extends the four-county pilot programs to the entire state. Motorists do have some breathing room, however; the law won’t go into effect until January 1, 2019.

Senator Jerry Hill, who sponsored the legislation, said that the new law will save lives. “We’ve already seen this to be true in the four counties conducting the pilot program: Ignition interlock devices (IIDs) have saved lives by preventing more than 1 million attempts to drink and drive since 2010,” he noted.

According to a press release from Hill, the new law makes some minor modifications to the pilot program. Its provisions include:

•    A first DUI offense that also involves an injury would require the driver to install an IID for six months.
•    If the conviction is for a first DUI offense that involves no injuries, an offender may choose a six-month IID requirement with full driving privileges, or a one-year restricted license that would allow only driving to and from work if the offender also participates in a treatment program.
•    A second DUI offense would require a driver to use an IID for one year.
•    A third DUI offense would require the use of an IID for two years.
•    For fourth or subsequent DUI offenses, a convicted driver would have to use an IID for three years.

Hill said that an IID installation costs approximately $70 to $150 plus $60 to $80 per month for monitoring and calibration.  Depending on their income, low-income individuals would be eligible for subsidies of up to 50 percent of the IID costs.

What should you do if you or someone you love faces a serious DUI count? Will you go to jail? Will you lose your license? Call Los Angeles DUI defense lawyer Michael Kraut immediately to understand your options and craft a strategic response.