Many Rochester drivers who are convicted of a drinking and driving offense are required to have an ignition interlock device installed on any vehicle they wish to continue operating for work or school.
The purpose of the ignition interlock device is to check the driver’s breath for alcohol and prevent operation if alcohol is detected.
The operator of the vehicle is required to blow into the ignition interlock device prior to starting the car, and it will not start if alcohol is detected.
Because the driver must also periodically provide a breath sample when operating the car, there is a common misconception that if alcohol is detected while the vehicle is in motion, it will result in the vehicle immediately being shut off.
Having the vehicle suddenly shut off in traffic would obviously pose a serious risk of accident.
As a result, the ignition interlock device uses another method to protect drivers and induce the driver who tested positive to cease operation.
If the device detects alcohol while the vehicle is already in operation, the ignition interlock device will cause the vehicle’s lights to begin flashing and the horn to begin honking.
This will continue until either an additional test by the ignition interlock device is passed or the vehicle is shut off.
As a result, the driver who tests positive has the opportunity to pull over before the vehicle must be shut down to stop the alarms from going off.
The device does not actually shut off the car.Instead, it induces the driver to shut it off.
Drivers convicted of drinking and driving are required to install the ignition interlock device in many cases, even if they are first time offenders and have not even been placed on probation.
As a result, it is important to have an experienced DWI lawyer who understands the potential penalties in your case.
Call us at 585-484-7432 for a legal consultation.