Here’s a sobering statistic: according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), at least 28 people die in drunk driving crashes in the United States every day—this translates to one person every 52 minutes! While the death percentage reached its lowest in 2019, 10,142 people still lost their lives.
Free Resources from OKC DUI Lawyers and Your Fierce Advocates®:
Our team of Your Fierce Advocates® at Cannon & Associates is led by our founder and Army veteran, John Cannon. We are privileged to defend clients facing OKC DUI charges, Edmond DUI charges, and DUI charges across Oklahoma. We also fight for client’s driving privileges following an Oklahoma DUI arrest. Find FREE RESOURCES on our YouTube page and our website, until we meet to answer your specific questions. You may also CALL NOW at (405) 972-8604, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week for a free case planning session!
If you have been convicted of DUI or driving under the influence, one possible consequence is that you may be put on probation. You may be required to have an ignition interlock device installed if you prefer getting a restricted driver’s license instead of serving your full suspension period.
It is also possible that the judge in your DUI case will make getting an ignition interlock device (IID) a condition of your probation. If this is true in your case, below are some of the facts about ignition interlock devices that you need to know:
An ignition interlock device is a handheld car breathalyzer used to measure the amount of alcohol in your breath. Installing one is generally a requirement following a drunk driving offense. The interlock device prevents your vehicle from starting until you have taken a breath alcohol test.
How Ignition Interlock Devices Work
If the ignition interlock device registers a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) that’s over the preset limit, your vehicle will not start. If below the preset limit, your vehicle will start. Your IID will also give you another opportunity to blow a clean sample in a few minutes.
It is also possible to get an in-between result. An in-between result occurs when the ignition interlock device detects a BAC that’s above 0 but below the state set point of .02 – .025. The device will give you a warning in similar scenarios, but you can still start your car.
Other information your IID records include:
- Your startup test results (with an exact BAC)
- Your rolling retest results (with an exact BAC)
- Any attempt to keep driving (after failing a rolling retest)
- The time and day of each test
- Your location at the time of each test (if your device is GPS-equipped)
- Your picture at the time of each test (if your device is camera-equipped)
- Any attempt to have someone else take the breath test
- Any attempt to remove or disable the device
- Whether you made it to required service visits
- If the device entered permanent lockout
Read your probation documents to check what will happen should you fail a certain number of breath tests. While many states give users a bit of leeway at the start of the interlock program to give you time to familiarize yourself with the device, not all states will do that. That said, it is best that you carefully read your program rules.
Costs Associated With Your Court-Ordered IID
If you have been ordered to have an IID installed in your vehicle, you will pay for the device installation and the rental fees. The device installation can range from $100 to $200. The monthly fee can range from $70 to $100. The price range provided does not include the calibration charges and the maintenance fees.
Final Thoughts
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, requiring DUI offenders to have mandatory ignition interlocks is considered one of the most effective ways of reducing drunk driving deaths. Moreover, the NHTSA states that drivers who use an IID are 65 percent less likely to commit another alcohol-related violation within the first year of their arrest.
Free Resources from OKC DUI Lawyers and Your Fierce Advocates®:
Our team of Your Fierce Advocates® at Cannon & Associates is led by our founder and Army veteran, John Cannon. We are privileged to defend clients facing OKC DUI charges, Edmond DUI charges, and DUI charges across Oklahoma. We also fight for client’s driving privileges following an Oklahoma DUI arrest. Find FREE RESOURCES on our YouTube page and our website, until we meet to answer your specific questions. You may also CALL NOW at (405) 972-8604, 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week for a free case planning session!
DUI cases, whether a misdemeanor or felony can carry life altering consequences. You deserve to have an experienced DUI lawyer in your corner. Contact Cannon & Associates to protect your rights and freedom in your Oklahoma DUI case. Complete the CONTACT FORM ON THIS PAGE NOW or CALL at 405-657-2323 for answers to your questions about DUI Probation in Oklahoma and Ignition Interlock Devices.