Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is on a mission to eliminate drunk driving in the United States. MADD’s top legislative priority is to get all 50 states to require ignition interlock devices (IIDs) for all first time DUI offenders. Many states already do so, and Florida MADD is vigorously pushing legislators to change the law to require IIDs for all first time DUI offenders.
Currently in Florida, a first DUI conviction with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .14 or below does not result in mandatory IID installation. A first time offender might have to install an IID if it is court-ordered, so it is left up to the judge’s discretion. A first-time offender with a BAC of .15 or above, or who has a minor in the car, has to install an ignition interlock device for at least six months. All repeat offenders are required by law to get an ignition interlock device installed for anywhere from one year to five years or more, depending on their offense.
MADD in Florida has had some success with their efforts to mandate that all first time DUI convictions result in IID installation. In 2017, Representative Cord Byrd introduced HB 949 to require ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders in Florida, and Senator David Simmons, amended SB 918 to also require ignition interlocks for all drunk drivers. Both of those bills died in committee, however.
But rest assured, MADD is still pushing for IIDs for all first-time DUI offenders in Florida to be required to install ignition interlock devices in order to get their full driving privileges back.
Ignition Interlock Devices Prevent Drunk Driving
MADD is pushing so hard because they know that ignition interlock devices prevent drunk driving, and thus prevent injuries and fatalities due to drunk driving. Multiple studies of the effects of ignition interlock devices on drunk driving back them up. Here are some selected statistics from MADD:
● IIDs have stopped nearly 2.5 million people from driving drunk since 2006 ● Ignition interlock devices are effective in reducing repeat drunk driving offenses by 67% (CDC) ● First time offenders have driven drunk at least 80 times before they are arrested (CDC) ● An ignition interlock is more effective than driver’s license suspension alone, as 50 to 75% of convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license ● All-offender interlock laws save lives reducing drunk driving deaths by 7, 12, and 15% (McGinty, 2017. IIHS, 2012. Kaufmann, 2016.) |
States with All-Offender Ignition Interlock Device Laws
As of June 2018, 32 states and the District of Columbia have all-offender ignition interlock laws, meaning all first-time offenders, regardless of whether they have an exceptionally high BAC level, are required to install an ignition interlock device as part of their DUI conviction penalties.
Those states include:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Washington DC
A recent study showed that in areas with all-offender ignition interlock device laws, fatal crashes involving drunk drivers were reduced on average by 16%. With statistics like that, don’t be surprised if MADD persuades more states – including Florida – to enact all-offender IID laws.
Ignition Interlock Device Installation Locations in Florida
If you’ve been convicted of DUI and are under court order to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle, we’re here to help. ALCOLOCK has ignition interlock device installations throughout the Sunshine State. From Marathon to Pensacola and everywhere in between, you’re sure to find a location that’s convenient to you. You can schedule your ignition interlock device installation by calling the service center nearest you, or calling us at 866-700-9300. You can also use our contact form. Be sure to have your paperwork from the FLHSMV that says you are eligible for the interlock restricted driving program.
Your installation appointment will take about an hour, that includes the actual installation of the device, and the time it takes to train you in how to use it. You’ll be given an instruction guide to remind you of how your program works, and know that we are available 24/7 should you run into any issues. At your installation appointment, we will also schedule you for your first monthly service visit. You’re required by law to bring the vehicle in once a month so we can upload the information the device recorded to the FLHMSV. We will also ensure the device is working properly each time you come in. Our goal is to make it easy and affordable to complete your restricted driving program.
