New California DUI Law to Take Effect in Select Counties

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed into law a measure that requires those convicted of DUI to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles.

When an ignition interlock device is installed in a vehicle, the driver is required to blow into the device before the car will start.  If the driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is above .08 percent (the legal limit in California), the vehicle will not start.

The measure will be tested on DUI offenders in Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare Counties before it becomes effective statewide.  The installation of the devices will be paid by the offenders, not the tax payers.

The author of the bill, Assembly member Mike Feuer (D - Los Angeles), feels strongly that the project will save hundreds of lives. Statistics have shown that repeat DUI offenses have decreased by as much as 70% in some states that require first-time DUI offenders to install a device in their vehicle.  

In 2007 alone, there were nearly 204,000 DUI arrests made in California, which averages out to 558 DUI arrests every day.  Of the 204,000 arrests, 45,149 were repeat offenders.  These drivers caused more than 53,000 traffic accidents, resulting in the death of 1,501 people.

The project takes effect on July 1, 2010 and will last until January 1, 2016. The California Department of Motor Vehicles plans to report the effectiveness of the project to the state legislature by July 1, 2015, which will then decide whether or not to expand the law to all counties.

To learn more about similar laws in your state, please click here to contact a DUI attorney near you.