New Yorkers Asking for Ignition Interlock Devices on All Cars

July 26, 2012

New Yorkers Asking for Ignition Interlock Devices on All Cars

After a recent high school graduate was killed when she was hit by a drunk driver, a petition called "Install Sensitive Interlock Devices" was started on the website Change.org. The petition urges lawmakers in New York State to require alcohol-sensing devices in all cars. If installed, the devices would stop cars from starting when a person is over the legal blood alcohol content limit.

Public Support for the Petition

If the petition gets into the legislature, it will be called "Brittney's Law," after the teen that was killed. She was killed by a man driving with a blood alcohol content almost four times the legal limit. So far, the driver has been charged with a DWI, but authorities say he could have other charges filed against him.

The petition appears to have public support. In one day, it already accumulated 1,526 signatures. It needs only 2,500 to be sent to the legislature. If this petition reaches the legislature there will be a wide-ranging public debate.

Ignition Interlocks Already Required in Some cases

Leandra's Law, which was signed into law in 2009, requires all people convicted of drunk driving offenses to have ignition interlock systems installed in all of their cars for at least six months. At the time the law was put into effect, New York was one of only 10 states that required ignition interlocks for first-time offenders.

Ignition interlock devices are installed in the person's vehicle, and drivers are required to have their BAC measured when they enter the vehicle. The vehicle will not start if the BAC is too high. The devices are court-ordered, and the court requires them to be installed on every vehicle the driver owns or operates. The driver's licenses of driver's subject to ignition interlock devices reflect the ignition interlock restriction.

Beyond these constraints, people ordered by the court to have ignition interlock devices must bear all of the costs associated with the device. The installation fees, monthly fees and other costs can amount to hundreds of dollars.

People charged with drunk driving face heavy penalties that can follow them for the rest of their lives. New Yorkers facing a drunk driving charge should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney specializing in DWI defense to make sure their legal rights are protected.

Article provided by DeRoberts Law Firm
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