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Controversial DUI Laws in Virginia

There have been amendments in the DUI laws in Virginia to ensure reduction in deaths and serious injuries in the state of Virginia. The state of Virginia has very stringent laws for DUI offenders and is quite tough on them. This is because statistics indicate that an alcohol related injury takes place every two minutes and death due to the same reason every 32 minutes, on average.

 
 

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Controversy in Installation of Ignition Interlock Device

The 2010 Virginia General Assembly is looking at the option of setting up various bills in order to “get tougher on drunk drivers.” Some of these bills have been proposed over the few years as in the case of the bill on mandatory implementation of the ignition interlock device on all cars driven by those who are convicted of DUI. As per the current law, Virginia Code Section 18.2-270.1, the first DUI offenders need to install an ignition interlock if their BAC is of 0.15 or more, or if they have been convicted earlier.

However, the bill has been discussed extensively and a few legislators have also pointed out that studies indicate that these devices have not worked effectively at times and have made even sober drivers not be able to drive their vehicles. There has not been any improvement in the quality of these machines. Certain groups like ‘Mothers Against Drunk Drivers’, MADD, have been trying to bring some change in the legislature of installing ignition interlock.

Another controversy surrounding these DUI laws in Virginia which you need be aware of is that the state of Virginia has only one company which is involved with installing these devices. Owing to this monopoly, it takes a long period for installation of the device. If a driver is convicted, then he cannot drive the vehicle until the device is installed and as he is not able to do so, he will not be able to drive his vehicle. This controversial DUI law in Virginia has led to the federal government to establish a federal ignition interlock bill. This again is not well accepted or appreciated by the public.

Under these circumstances, if a person is arrested and convicted for drunk driving in Virginia, he needs to contact an experienced and well-qualified DUI and criminal defense attorney in Virginia who deals in similar cases. An attorney can help in restoring the driving privileges by using all the legal options and help in avoiding the installation of ignition interlock devices in the vehicle.