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Budweiser And Lyft Partner So You Aren’t Arrested For Drunk Driving

Posted on October 6, 2017 by Editorial Staff

arrested for drunk driving There are a lot of different reasons why people make the decision to drive drunk. Alcohol may give someone a false sense of courage and they may feel invincible, as though they getting arrested for drunk driving is something that only happens to other people. Or, they might drink and drive because they just don’t care about drunk driving laws and the penalties that come with them.

But a large majority of people say they drink and drive because they don’t have any other way home, and faced with the prospect of taking a bus or expensive cab, they decide to take their chances and drive. That decision ends in tragedy more often than you think, and that’s why Budweiser and Lyft have partnered up again to tackle the problem of drunk driving.

Budweiser has re-launched their popular “Give a Damn. Don’t Drive Drunk” campaign, and they’d like to see people drink responsibly and still get home safely by offering a deal on Lyft rides. Lyft, a ride sharing company, will provide rides every weekend for the rest of the 2017 on weekends and holidays, and the rides will be offered in several states including Texas, Colorado, Florida, and Pennsylvania.

If you’d like to plan your ride home and avoid getting arrested for drunk driving yourself, all you have to do is login to Facebook or Instagram each Thursday by two pm and obtain a ride code. That ride code will give you a $20 credit on Lyft, $10 each for two one-way rides, and you can use your coupon between five pm and five am Thursday to Saturday.

You might not want to make a plan for a ride home a few days ahead of time, but it’s the best way for you, your friends, and for anyone on the road with you to stay safe as the we all head into the busy holiday season.

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How Much Time Will You Spend On Your DUI Conviction?

Posted on June 12, 2017 by Editorial Staff

DUI conviction For most people, time is money. That means your time is too valuable to waste, especially on something that’s avoidable like a DUI conviction.

But too many people don’t realize the real cost of a DUI conviction before they drink and drive. They might know how much the fines are or what it will cost to reinstate a driver’s license, but most won’t factor in time they’ll have to put into sorting it out and moving on.

Take a Colorado DUI conviction for example: according to NoDUIColorado, it takes approximately 170 hours to work through a first offender conviction.

Here’s a look at what a DUI conviction will cost you in terms of your time:

Going to court

Did you know that you may head to court more than once for a DUI conviction? Some first offenders in Colorado can head to court up to six times to work through everything required to process your DUI.

DUI school

If you’re required to attend DUI school as part of your DUI conviction in Colorado, you’ll be spending a minimum of twelve hours in classes. The number of hours you’ll spend could rise depending on the blood alcohol content (BAC) you were arrested with and which treatment track the judge deems you’ll be on after arrest.

Using an ignition interlock after a DUI conviction

When factoring in how long a DUI takes to work through, offenders may forget the time they’re required to use ignition interlock in their vehicle. Most first time offenders may need  to use one for a period of twenty four months.

170 hours doesn’t sound like much, but NoDUIColorado summer it up pretty well: it’s the equivalent of eighty movies or twenty-one days of paid vacation.  When you think about it in those terms, it’s a lot harder to swallow, isn’t it?

Time is valuable; you don’t have to waste yours on a DUI as long as you don’t drink and drive.

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Will The Cold Weather Affect My Ignition Interlock?

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Editorial Staff

ignition interlock winter weatherThis winter has been a volatile one for extreme weather, and some states are currently under a blanket of snow and cold. In weather like this it can be hard to start your vehicle’s engine and keep it running at optimal levels, and the cold can also cause you problems if you use an ignition interlock device.

When it comes to your ignition interlock it’s not the fact that temperatures outside are hitting the double digit negatives; it’s that when you breath into an interlock when it’s really cold outside, the moisture from your breath can freeze onto the inner circuitry of the interlock and cause issues. The issues are only temporary, but there are ways to avoid them.

A good battery will be your best friend in cold weather

You can’t start your car without a good battery providing the power, and it’s even more important to have a good battery to fire the engine in very cold weather. The same rule goes for your ignition interlock, and because the battery provides the power to your device, you’ll want to make sure it’s in tip top shape.

Hang and tap your ignition interlock

To keep moisture away from the internal circuitry of your ignition interlock, hang it upside down in your vehicle, remove the mouthpiece, and after you warm it, tap down gently a couple of times on your knee. That will remove any moisture that may have collected in the mouthpiece before you blow.

Bring your ignition interlock inside

If your state has regulations that allow you to disconnect your ignition interlock, you can bring it inside with you when you know the temperatures are going to dip outside. That way you never have to worry about it being cold because it’s already warm from being inside.

Do a interlock warm-up cycle

There are two ways you can do a warm-up cycle for your ignition interlock. You can program a warm-up if you start your vehicle at the exact same time every day, and that way your interlock will be ready to go when you are.

You can also do a manual warm-up cycle. Just turn your key to wake your ignition interlock, then immediately turn it back off again. The “Wait” light will come on to ask you to test, but you shouldn’t blow at this point. Let the device turn off for two minutes, then turn the key on again and take the test.

Cold, ice, snow: no one really enjoys the winter weather when the temperatures plummet to extreme levels, but you can still continue on with life as you normally would, even with an interlock, as long as you take a few extra steps.

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Two Types Of Ignition Interlock Lockouts That Could Happen To You

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Editorial Staff

ignition interlock lockoutWhen you have an ignition interlock installed on your vehicle you expect that a few things will happen. You expect that you’ll need to drive sober and provide an alcohol-free breath sample in order to continue driving, and you expect that you’ll have to blow into your ignition interlock if you’re required to do a rolling retest.

Unless you’ve been drinking alcohol, what you might not expect is to be locked out or prevented from starting your car because of your interlock. There are two different kinds of lockouts that could affect you.

If you cause a temporary ignition interlock lockout

A temporary lockout can happen if you fail your ignition interlock breath test. If you do fail, you’ll be required to wait for a period of time before you can blow again. That waiting period goes up if you fail your breath test for a second time, and if you continue to blow and fail, you could be locked out for hours.

If you cause a permanent lockout

There’s a reason why you need to attend all of your service appointments. These appointments are designed to inspect and calibrate your interlock as well as download your service records. If you miss a scheduled service appointment the timer will start ticking on your car and you’ll have five days before you’ll enter what’s known as a permanent lockout.

In a nutshell, when a permanent lockout occurs, your car will not start. You’ll have to go to a service center to have it reset before you can get back on the road.

An ignition interlock lockout can mean you miss days of work and other important events in your life. To avoid that, all you have to do is drive sober, stick to your appointments, and finish out your interlock penalty period.

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Why Did I Just Fail My Ignition Interlock Test?

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Editorial Staff

Guardian ignition interlock If you have an ignition interlock installed in your vehicle, you know that there are certain rules and regulations to using it. When you’re about to drive you have to blow into it to start your vehicle. If you’re driving and you receive an alert to take a rolling retest, you must take it or you’ll have to pull over and your car will stop working.

But what if you fail your ignition interlock test? What happens then and why would it happen in the first place? There are a few reasons why you might receive a fail when you blow into your interlock.

You’ve just rinsed your mouth with mouthwash

If you use mouthwash on a regular basis, you might want to give it up while you have an ignition interlock. Some types of mouthwash can contain up to 30% alcohol, so if you use right it before you test you could receive a fail. Be sure to rinse your mouth with water before you test just in case you still have mouthwash residue.

You’re taking cold medicine

Just like mouthwash, cold medicines like Nyquil contain alcohol. Although the amount of alcohol isn’t the same as if you were drinking a glass of beer or wine, having it in your system can still result in you failing your ignition interlock test.

You’ve been drinking alcohol

The number one reason why you would fail your ignition interlock test is because you’ve been drinking alcohol. It doesn’t matter if you only have one glass of beer or wine; because ignition interlocks are set to detect low levels of alcohol, if you’ve been drinking your car won’t start.

When you fail your ignition interlock test because of mouth wash or cold medicine, all you have to do is rinse your mouth with water, take your test again, and your car should start. If you fail it because of drinking alcohol, you won’t have the option to drive your car until there is no alcohol in your system.

That complete disabling of your car is the reason why ignition interlock save lives, and they save you from the headache of receiving another DUI conviction because you made the choice to drink and drive again.

 

 

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Do You Know What A PAS Test Is?

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Editorial Staff

Sobriety test pas testIf you’ve never been arrested for drunk driving and the police stop you because they suspect you of it, you’re going to have to quickly learn a whole new set of terms. Someone who has never driven drunk before may have no idea what makes up a field sobriety test or what the difference is between a PAS test (preliminary alcohol screening) and a breathalyzer test.

Here’s a look at a few of the terms you may hear if you’re pulled over and possibly arrested for drunk driving.

Field Sobriety Test

Have you ever seen photos of police officers asking someone to touch their finger to their nose, walk a straight line, or watched a video of someone trying to recite the alphabet backward? If so, you’ve already seen a field sobriety test in action. Officers use field sobriety tests to gauge a driver’s level of intoxication and determine whether there’s probable cause to arrest you.

PAS Test

A police officer may request a PAS test at a checkpoint or if they pull you over. A PAS test is performed with a breathalyzer device, but it’s performed before you’re arrested for drunk driving. You may hear a PAS test is an optional test and you have the choice to refuse it. In many states that’s true unless you are under the age of 21 and you live in a zero tolerance state, or you’ve already been arrested for drunk driving before. If you’re unsure, your best option before you refuse anything is to contact a lawyer to find out the laws in your state.

If police move beyond these preliminary tests and formally arrest you for drunk driving, refusing to submit to a chemical blood alcohol test can have consequences as severe as if you were convicted of driving under the influence.

These are just a few of the terms you’ll hear when you’re stopped for suspected drunk driving. How do you avoid all of the hassle of field sobriety and PAS tests? It’s pretty easy: just don’t drink and drive.

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What Is A Hardship License?

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Editorial Staff

what-is-hardship-licenseIf you ask someone charged with drunk driving what the hardest part of a driving under the influence (DUI) conviction is, they will probably tell you it’s the drivers license suspension. Not being able to drive to work, to school, or to get your family around can be very difficult for someone who is used to the freedom of driving, and on top of that it’s embarrassing and expensive.

Depending on what state you’re in, you could be eligible to get your drivers license back before your period of license suspension is up. A hardship license will be issued to someone who has had their drivers license revoked, and it will only allow you to drive under certain circumstances or provided you install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle.

The requirements to receive a hardship license vary, and you’ll most likely have to prove that you’re enduring hardship because you no longer have a drivers license. Some states require you to send in a written request while others require that you take drug and alcohol counseling.

When you’ve been approved, you’ll be notified as to the restrictions that come with your hardship drivers license. You may be required to install an ignition interlock device immediately upon receiving your hardship license, or you may only be allowed to drive to and from work.

Once you’ve been driving with a restricted license, you aren’t going to want to lose it for any reason. Violating the restrictions of the license means it could be revoked, and once it is you won’t be able to get it back. Some states also require that you go back to square one as far as duration of drivers license suspension too.

Having a hardship license doesn’t mean you’re off the hook for driving under the influence (DUI), but just like ignition interlock devices, it can be looked at like a lifeline after you’ve made a really bad decision. If you’re fortunate enough to qualify for a hardship license, take the opportunity and get your life back on track.

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Minnesota Ignition Interlock PSA Is A Must-Watch

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Editorial Staff

When someone makes the choice to drink and drive, they probably aren’t thinking beyond just getting to their destination. If they took a moment to weigh the pros and cons of their decision, they’d realize that having a driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) conviction has long lasting consequences, including a misdemeanor or felony on their record, required substance abuse courses, or a year long ignition interlock program.

If they are required to install an ignition interlock, they probably didn’t consider how they might find it potentially embarrassing to use the device to start their vehicle or how they could explain it to other people who drive in the car with them. That’s why this public service announcement (PSA) from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety should be required viewing for anyone who applies for a driver’s license or anyone who is arrested for a DWI in the state.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqBOwvosPOQ]

Minnesota requires all repeat and first time offenders who are arrested with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .16 or great to install an ignition interlock or not drive at all. According to the state’s ignition interlock laws, they can choose from three options available to them:

•    Use an ignition interlock and obtain an ignition interlock restricted license that will give them full driving privileges
•    Wait through a full 15 days driver’s license suspension and then obtain a limited license that allow the person to drive only to and from work or treatment
•    Don’t drive at all for the full 90 day period

If you have a BAC of .16 or over and it’s your first offense, you can choose a restricted license and an ignition interlock or don’t drive at all for one full year.

Drinking and driving is a choice made by the driver. Maybe watching a PSA like this one could help you realize this scenario could easily happen to you, so share it with friends and help them rethink the decision to drink and drive.

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Interlock Device Installation Explained In Less Than One Minute

Posted on September 16, 2014 by Editorial Staff

Guardian InterlockOnce you have a driving under the influence (DUI) charge on your record, life can become a blur of paperwork, court dates, license suspensions, and even a short or long-term stint in jail. But there is life after DUI, and the easiest part of getting back on your feet and getting back on the road is installing a Guardian Interlock device.

It might look like it’s difficult to begin the interlock process, but Guardian Interlock makes it really easy. Just watch this video and you’ll see everything explained in less than one minute.

All you have to do is give Guardian Interlock a quick call and make an appointment at one of their local service centers. Once there, you’ll meet an experience technician who can install your interlock device, show you all the steps required for using it properly, and send off your recording data to the State. You’ll also need to check back in for interlock device calibration on occasion.

Once your Guardian Interlock is installed, you’ll need to blow into it to test your breath. Once the device confirms you have no alcohol in your system, your car will start normally. Some states require rolling retests, so you may also be required to blow into the device while you’re driving.

Guardian Interlock is committed to making your interlock program as easy as possible, so they offer the best technology, the best service, and the best price. Give them a call – night or day, 365 days per year, you’ll find Guardian Interlock there for support during your interlock program.

Check out the video, and when you give Guardian Interlock a call, mention ‘Guardian Video’ to receive a special discount on your interlock device.

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