A new law aimed at preventing a drunk driving accident by preventing the drunk driver from starting his or her motor vehicle has just taken effect in Connecticut. The forces motorists convicted of driving under the influence to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle.
The device prevents a motor vehicle from starting without the driver first blowing into it. The ignition interlock device performs an analysis of the breath sample and, if it detects alcohol, will not allow the vehicle to start. Some models even if a separate camera to record who is breathing into the machine to prevent drivers from attempting to avoid detection by having someone else breathe into it.
State officials might have been influenced by a disturbing statistic showing that the average drunk driver probably drove 80 times while intoxicated before being caught. Preventing such a driver from starting a car might reduce the drunk driving accident rate which included 114 highways deaths attributed to people drinking too much alcohol.
The ignition interlock device is not a new weapon in the fight to prevent an auto accident in New Haven or elsewhere in the state. Individuals with a prior conviction have already been subject to it being imposed at sentencing by Connecticut judges. The new law now makes it mandatory in cases of a first offense.
Imposing driving restrictions on people convicted of driving under the influence might help to reduce drunk driving accidents, but it is doubtful that they will completely eliminate them. A New Haven personal injury attorney can provide legal advice and guidance about financial compensation available to the victim of a drunk driving accident.
Source: Fox Ct News, “Ignition locking devices mandatory for First-time DUI convictions,” Mike Krafcik, July 2, 2015
