California, along with nearly every other state in the nation, has had to combat drunk driving. Drunk driving fatalities are a reality in every corner of the country. One effort to reduce drunk driving recidivism has been the requirement to install an ignition interlock device (IID) after a conviction for driving under the influence.
There are three circumstances where you may install an IID in California:
- Required by court order
- Required by California DMV order
- Optional installation
A California judge can order the installation of an IID as a term of your probation. This means that failure to install a court-ordered IID could not only result in the suspension of your license but also in a violation of the terms of your probation. The California DMV will order installation of an IID if you are convicted of driving on a suspended or revoked license when the reason for the suspension was due to a drunk driving conviction. Finally, under certain circumstances, you may be eligible for a restricted license with the installation of an IID. Generally, the optional installation of an IID is following a conviction for driving under the influence. The optional installation of an IID reinstates driving privileges for that person as long as the device is properly installed, calibrated and monitored.
According to a publication by the Centers for Disease Control, the requirement of an ignition interlock device reduced drunk driving recidivism by 32%. Ignition interlock devices and other campaigns have helped to keep our roads safe while also bringing awareness to the dangers of alcohol addiction and dependence. Many people are not aware how much alcohol they are drinking and how greatly it can affect their ability to drive.