Davis Law Group, P.S.

Alabama, Last State in U.S. to Pass Bill on Anti-DUI Devices for Vehicles

Drunk driving laws in Alabama have become much stricter after Gov. Robert Bentley signed a bill that makes Alabama that final states in the U.S. to require the use of ignition interlock devices for DUI offenders.

The device that goes on car dashboards is used to detect the driver’s alcohol content before starting their vehicle, to ensure sobriety.

Under the new law, a first-time DUI offender that injures someone, who has a BAC of .15 or greater, refuses to provide a BAC or has a child under the age of 14 in the car would be required to have an interlock device in the vehicle for two years after a 90-day suspension of their license.

Regardless of the circumstances, if a driver receives a second conviction the device installation will be in the car for two years after restoration of the license. Third time offenders would be required to drive with the device for three years. Further offenses would be subject to five years of device use.

Mother Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and several individuals worked very hard to get this bill passed, as it has taken several years.

Davis Law Group is pleased to hear that Alabama is taking another step toward keeping our roads safe!

Drunk Driving Accident Statistics

In Washington State, 54% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes involve a driver that was under the influence of alcohol. In 2009 265 people in Washington State lost their lives in drunk driving crashes. In Washingon State there is a sharp increase in the number of drunk driving incidents near major holidays. Drunk driving is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle collisions. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving, 16,694 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in the United States in 2004. This figure represents 39% of all traffic incident deaths. In fact, more than 500,000 Americans are injured annually in drunken driving crashes.