Georgia Ignition Interlock Device
There are many penalties that come along with a DUI conviction in Atlanta. The judge may sentence you to jail time, fines, and a driver’s license suspension. You may also be ordered to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle.
What is an ignition interlock device?
Simply put, an ignition interlock device is a small machine that tests a driver’s breath for alcohol. This device is typically attached to the vehicle’s dashboard. Before the car can start, the driver must blow into the unit. If the driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is over a certain minimum limit (typically 0.02 to 0.04 percent), the vehicle will not start.
Ignition interlock devices are almost impossible to circumvent. There are safeguards in place to make sure that the air being blown into the device is human. The driver may have to hum while blowing into the device.
After the initial test to start the engine, the driver will be required to additional tests while driving. Known as rolling or running retests, this is designed to prevent the driver’s friend from starting the car and allowing the intoxicated driver to take over the wheel. If the driver takes this rolling retest and fails, alarms may go off or the lights may flash until the driver pulls over and stops the vehicle. The incident will also be reported to the court.
The driver pays costs and fees to install and maintain an ignition interlock device. Maintenance typically costs about $60 a month. The driver is also responsible for taking his or her vehicle in periodically to be maintained and for the data from the machine to be retrieved.
Having an ignition interlock device installed in the driver’s vehicle is typically a provision of the driver’s probation. It is also used as a deterrent to keep the driver from getting behind the wheel while intoxicated.
If you have recently been charged with driving under the influence in the Atlanta area, you should immediately hire an attorney who is experienced in DUI defense law. Atlantaduiattorney.com can help you find an attorney who will fight your charges. To speak with an experienced DUI attorney today, fill out our form on this page.
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