Virginia Igntion Interlock Bill Passes

The Virginia Senate passed the legislation to make ignition interlock devices mandatory for anyone convicted of a DUI in Virginia. When a persons license is reinstated, he or she must get one of these alcohol detected breathalyser devices attached to their car's ignition.

The device, which will be paid for by the offender, will not allow the car to start if the person's BAC is above .02%, which is the level of one drink, and is essentially a zero tolerance policy.

There are current laws in effect that make it a criminal charge to circumvent the device, have someone else blow into it, or use a car without such a device if your driver's license requires it.

Previously, an ignition alcohol device was only required in cases of multiple offenses, or if the person had registered a .15 BAC on a police breathalyser.

The new law goes into effect on Oct 1, 2008.

Please contact us for a DUI case evaluation in Virginia.

2/14/08 - Update: The first offense DUI interlock law has passed the Virginia House of Delegates, and goes on to the Senate in the Virginia General Assembly. If it passes the Senate, it will become law.

The vote total was 80-18 in the house. In opposition, Delegate Ken Melvin of Portsmouth is quoted saying most people who get a DUI never get a second DUI offense, and this bill is the equivalent of "using a hammer to kill a fly."

2/10/08 - A Virginia state lawmaker is proposing a law to make anyone convicted of a single DUI/drunk driving charge install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle as a condition of license reinstatement. Under current Virginia DUI laws, An ignition interlock device is only required in cases where the person blew over a .15 BAC on a breathalyzer, or almost twice the legal limit.

We believe this is a terrible idea. It is absolutely unfair to saddle someone who could even have been under the legal limit with this burden. Or if you made a one time mistake, you have to pay for it with something that could affect your job.

Even more important, there is absolutely no credible evidence that an ignition interlock device does anything to prevent drunk driving in people who are not chronic alcoholics or multiple offenders.

More on Virginia ignition interlock devices here.