Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog
In the state of Florida, a court can decide to put an ignition interlock device (IID) on a person’s car if they’ve been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) with a breath-alcohol concentration (BAC) of up to 0.14.
If a driver is busted with a BAC of 0.15 or higher in the state then the convicted driver is ordered to have one of these devices installed on their vehicle, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV). Drivers who have been convicted of drunk driving in many other states have to have an IID installed on their vehicle after the first drunk driving conviction regardless of their BAC level. While many safe driving advocates push for stricter laws in the state to help to reduce the risks of car accidents in Lantana and elsewhere, other countries like France are getting very serious about the issue.
According to Motorway America, France is requiring all drivers to have two separate breathalyzers in their vehicles. This order started on July 1st, but won’t be heavily enforced until November 1st.
Our Lantana drunk driving car accident attorneys understand that drunk driving accidents account for about a third of all fatal crashes in the state. Every year, there are more than 10,000 people killed in these crashes. That’s a fatality every 51 minutes because someone wasn’t responsible enough to get a sober ride home. The truth of the matter is that these kinds of accidents are 100 percent preventable. Drivers are asked to be cautious, safe and responsible for the remainder of the year to help reduce everyone’s risk of a motor vehicle accident.
In France, the new regulation is meant to make sure that drivers have two breathalyzers, a warning triangle and a high-visibility safety vest in their vehicle at all times. Whoever is busted without these could face a fine, although there’s some leniency in enforcement until November. Are you planning on visiting France? You’ve got to abide by the new law, too. So make sure that you talk with your rental car company to make sure that their vehicles are equipped in accordance with the law.
IIDs have four components that make them effective. They have a breath alcohol sensor in the vehicle that records the driver’s BAD and will provide a warning if alcohol is detected. It also has a rolling retest system which will require the driver to retest their BAC every 20 to 30 minutes. A good IID also has a tamper proof design in the engine part of the unit. Typically these devices are checked every month or two. Lastly, an IID should also have a data-recording system that keeps track of the driver’s BAC readings and test compliance records to make sure that the offender is actually using the device.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a drunk driving car accident in Lantana, or in any of the nearby areas, contact the South Florida injury attorneys at Freeman, Mallard, Sharp & Gonzalez, LLC to schedule a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Drunk Driving Accidents in Fort Lauderdale and Elsewhere Alarmingly Common, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, June 15, 2012
MAP-21 to Help Reduce Risks of Drunk Driving Car Accidents in Fellsmere and Elsewhere, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, March 23, 2012