Tougher Drunk Driving Laws Upcoming in California?
New, stricter drunk driving laws may be on the way for California. There are a number of proposed legislative changes to California DUI laws that are in different stages of discussion and passage, in both the California State Assembly and the State Senate.
There is a lot of momentum for tougher laws surrounding the use and requirements for ignition interlock devices in the cars of anyone found guilty of a DUI in California. An ignition interlock device prevents a car from starting if a driver can’t pass a in-car breathalyzer test.
It seems likely that some variations of these drunk driving laws changes and enhancements could be in effect in the near future.
Laws that are in the legislative process include:
- AB2784 which would require the use of an ignition interlock device for anyone convicted of a first offense DUI in California. First offense interlock requirements recently passed in Arizona and Illinois, and are under review in other states.
- A related bill, SB1361 would require that drivers provide proof of installation of an ignition interlock in his or her vehicle in order to have a license reinstated by the DMV.
- SB1388 would require that anyone convicted of driving on a license under suspension for a drunk driving charge with the past 10 years have an ignition interlock device required for continued driving. The IID requirement period could be from 1-3 years.
- Bill SB1190 would lower the “High BAC” threshold from .20 to .15% BAC. A person convicted of a first offense DUI with a high BAC is currently sentenced to the ignition interlock requirement. The new proposed law would lower that number to .15, or just under twice the legal limit of .08% for measured alcohol in the bloodstream.
If you are charged with a DUI or other crime anywhere in California, please contact us for a free legal case evaluation. We’ll provide you with some advice and recommendations on what you can do, and how we can help.
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User Comments:
Mr. Richardson,
Thanks for taking the time to comment, and pointing out the updates to the legislation being debated.
The post was merely commenting on what appears to be an outdated article (linked above) from landlinemag.com. I don’t know if the site got it wrong, or the information was simply outdated, as bills frequently change as legislative negotiations play themselves out.
In any case, we will update will the most current facts.
And I fixed my typo.
thanks,
dave
many thanks several with regard to writing regarding
I am not sure when you wrote this article but as of the posting date it is filled with misleading and inaccurate information
AB2784 was completely gutted on May 27 removing any Ignition Interlock Device (IID) requirements.
SB1361 does not require the use of a IID. It only provides an option to a person to reinstate their license prior to the completion of the suspension period associated to the underling DUI.
SB1388 This clumsy law just restates existing law, See V C Sec. 14601.2, (h). Starting 1/1/07 anyone who is convicted of driving while suspended resulting from a DUI can reinstate their driving privilege after completing the minimum suspension period with an IID, or they can serve out the total suspension period and no IID is required.
And finally I think you will find 0.15% BAC is less than 0.20%BAC, therefore the threshold is “LOWERED”, not raised
I hope you prepare for your trials better than you researched this article