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Idaho’s Governor Signs All-Offender Ignition Interlock Law

Posted on March 28, 2018 by Editorial Staff

idaho-signs-all-offender-ignition-interlock-lawIt began in California with something called the Farr-Davis Safety Act of 1986. That law required DUI offenders in four counties to use a new device called an ignition interlock, which used breathalyzer technology to prevent a car from starting if the driver has been drinking. The devices worked well, and  some public safety advocates wanted them for all offenders, not just repeat drunk drivers. In 2005 New Mexico became the first state to require all DUI offenders to use interlocks. Louisiana and Arizona followed, with good results: it was found that mandating the devices for all offenders reduced alcohol-related road deaths by a significant amount – in New Mexico’s case over 30 percent.

Which brings us to Idaho. 25 years later, Idaho has become the 31st state to require ignition interlocks for all DUI offenders. Governor Butch Otter just signed HB551 into law.

This is great news for Idahoans, who will be safer on the road. Every day convicted drunk drivers will try to drive after drinking – despite the law and what they know about the consequences – and every day the device will register “fail” and shut off their ignitions.

One state is an experiment. 30 is a trend, and it’s a trend that is saving lives all over the country. Our thanks to Gvernor Otter and the forward-thinking legislators who made HB551 possible.

This entry was posted in News and tagged ,

AAA Thinks Idaho Needs An All Offender Ignition Interlock Law

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Editorial Staff

idaho ignition interlock lawWhat is the best way to stop a drunk driver? If you ask law enforcement officers or Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), they’ll tell you that an ignition interlock is the only way to stop a drunk driver from driving their vehicle. Now AAA Idaho has joined in that line of thinking, and they’re coming out in support of ignition interlocks too, with the hope that their support will entice state lawmakers into passing an all offender ignition interlock law.

Idaho does require ignition interlocks for first time offenders, but they are only required if the offender obtains a restricted license after a thirty day driver’s license suspension and for first time offenders who are arrested with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.20 or higher. The fact that Idaho doesn’t have a mandatory ignition interlock law for first time offenders arrested with a 0.08 BAC could be why the state is seeing an increase in drunk driving crash fatalities. AAA stated in a recent article that the number rose by 20.8 percent in 2015.

What AAA Idaho wants to see is an all offender ignition interlock law that will require any offender to use an interlock device in any vehicle they drive, and they’d also like anyone who refuses to submit to breath, blood, or urine testing when suspected of drunk driving to have to install the device too.

If Idaho does decide to pass an all offender ignition interlock law, they’d be joining in with many others states who have come on board and are now requiring the device for every single drunk driving offender. That’s a good thing, because according to MADD drunk drivers have no problem continuing to drive on a suspended license. When you realize that nearly sixty to eighty percent of drivers ignore their suspension, you also realize that there’s a lot of drivers who will be stopped cold if they were required to install an ignition interlock.

This entry was posted in Law and tagged ,

Santa Arrested For Drinking And Driving In Idaho

Posted on February 1, 2016 by Editorial Staff
santa drinking and driving in idaho

Image from Insideedition.com

Every year after a stressful Christmas Eve delivering gifts to the children of the world, Santa Claus must need to kick back with eggnog and relax for the first time in months. That’s OK if he plans on staying in the North Pole or if he gives the sled keys to an elf, but for some reason Santa Claus decided to take a trip to Post Falls recently and local police stopped him for drinking and driving in Idaho.

It sounds strange, but it’s true: a man whose legal name is Santa Claus was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) when he was spotted driving the wrong way down a road. Police spotted him when they were driving in the opposite direction, and when they pulled him over they discovered a 67-year-old man with a white beard and a familiar name. Unfortunately for Santa he wasn’t that familiar with Port Falls, and he must not be used to driving a car because he had no idea how to navigate the streets.

Police stated that Santa smelt of alcohol, and he admitted to drinking a few beer at a local pub. When asked to perform a field sobriety test, Santa couldn’t stay balanced, and his two breathalyzer tests resulted in readings of .130 and .119, well over the legal limit of .08.

Just like you’d expect, Santa was cooperative to everyone during his arrest. In Idaho a first time offender normally receives up to six months in jail, fines up to $1,000, and a drivers license suspension for 90 to 180 days. Idaho doesn’t have an ignition interlock requirement for first offenders, so thankfully he wouldn’t have to equip his sleigh with one.

Santa appeared in court shortly after his arrest and his charge was reduced to misdemeanor reckless driving. Instead of dealing with the penalties a first time DUI offender would for drinking and driving in Idaho, he received a $700 fine after he pleaded guilty and he was free to return to the North Pole.

It’s a good reminder that no one is safe from the watchful eyes of the police. Anyone who is drinking and driving, even Santa, will be stopped and arrested for it eventually.

This entry was posted in Offbeat and tagged ,

Ignition Interlock And DUI Laws In Idaho

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Editorial Staff

ignition interlockWhen you’re behind the wheel, alcohol can affect your coordination and slow your reaction time to the point where driving can become dangerous to you and everyone on the road with you. Ignition interlock and driving under the influence (DUI) laws are designed to keep people safe, and each state has their own unique set of laws and penalties to keep drinking drivers off of the road.

In Idaho, you are considered to be driving under the influence if you have the following blood alcohol concentrations (BAC):

  • .02% BAC if you are younger than 21
  • .04% BAC if you are driving a commercial vehicle
  • .08% BAC if you are over the age of 21 and driving a standard vehicle

The Idaho Transportation Department notes that, if you are under the influence of another intoxicating substance, you can still be charged for DUI even when your blood alcohol concentration is less than .08%. Idaho also passed an ignition interlock bill requiring repeat offenders to install interlock devices as part of the penalty requirements after a DUI charge.

For a first time DUI offender in Idaho, the penalties are:

  • Jail time of up to six months
  • Fines payable up to $1000
  • License suspension of a minimum of 90 days and up to 180 days
  • If you are under 21, you will receive a license suspension of up to 1 year

Second time DUI offenders who receive a DUI charge within five years of the first will receive:

  • Jail time ranging from 10 days up to 1 year
  • Fines payable up to $2000
  • Loss of license for a period of 1 year or 2 years if you are under 21
  • Ignition Interlock installation in any vehicle you drive

Idaho ignition interlock and DUI laws are designed to keep drinking drivers off of the road, and even one or two drinks can result in your being too intoxicated to drive. If you’re drinking at all, call a cab or give the keys to someone else.

This entry was posted in Law and tagged , ,
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