| There are a variety of different methods that | | | | considered the "rolling and running" retest, |
| states use to punish convicted DUI offenders | | | | which eliminates the chance of having a sober |
| while preventing DUI recidivism -- that is, | | | | friend unlocking it for them, or even worse, |
| getting drunk and driving again. Commonly, | | | | cracking open a brewski after given the |
| after the first offense, the driver's license | | | | system's go ahead. |
| is suspended from the onset, with stiff fines | | | | |
| and possibly some community service landing | | | | One of the biggest advocates is the group |
| the offender on trash detail off of I-90 in a | | | | MADD (mothers against drunk driving). However |
| day-glow monkey suit. | | | | there has been some obstacles and resistance |
| | | | to fully implementing this device. |
| Commonly, a first-time offender may still | | | | |
| find a harsh penalty. They can definitely | | | | Interlock Limitations |
| find themselves with a steep ticket and an | | | | |
| appearance at the municipal court house. Or, | | | | The interlock device is, on its face, quite |
| in some states, jail time may be a part of | | | | clever and novel of an invention. It's so |
| the punishment depending on what's current | | | | attractive that the largest anti-drunk |
| with the state's law books. However, when you | | | | driving non-profit group MADD is touting its |
| are talking about repeat offenders, the | | | | mandatory use for all states. However, it's |
| penalties naturally get more rugged. | | | | unfortunate that there is little statistical |
| | | | evidence that shows DUI offenders repeating |
| Some states implement a relatively new tool | | | | offenses less with states that use this. |
| for a DUI offender that is called the | | | | |
| ignition interlock system. This is basically | | | | For one, there are still loopholes despite |
| a disabling system that can only allow a | | | | the "rolling and running" retest system. The |
| car's ignition to engage when the car's owner | | | | intoxicated person can simply take another |
| blows into an alcohol reading device attached | | | | car -- a friend's, a rental or otherwise. The |
| and clears with a sober reading. | | | | system of retesting during the drive has |
| | | | shown, in some results, higher incidents of |
| The interlock system has this blower device | | | | crashes. And, after nearly a decade of many |
| that extends from the car's dashboard. When | | | | states using this system, no good evidence |
| given a good reading the electrical system | | | | has shown otherwise. Until the root of |
| activates and unlocks the ignition system | | | | alcoholism is staved off, the DUI courts may |
| allowing the car to be started. However, when | | | | not find this popular until it shows better |
| the car is running the tester has to be blown | | | | results. |
| into again every few minutes or so. This is | | | | |