San Mateo Ignition Interlock Program

The Basics of the San Mateo Ignition Interlock Device Program

There are a number of different laws that govern the installation of an ignition interlock device on vehicles registered to those that have been convicted of a DUI in San Mateo, California. Not all DUI convictions are going to mandate the interlock installation of these devices, but it’s a pretty common on enough occurrence that you run the risk of having one of these installed in your vehicle should you be convicted.

Essentially a device that is hardwired directly to the ignition of a vehicle, ignition interlock devices are going to require a breath sample to be recorded by the driver of a vehicle before the ignition is allowed to fire the engine. Should any alcohol be detected on the breath of a driver of the ignition is not going to turn on, leaving the vehicle immobilized until such a time as the ignition interlock device has recorded a breath sample that is free of alcohol.
 
On top of that, vehicles that have these devices installed within them are going to require regular “refreshes” of breath samples to confirm that the driver of the vehicle has not consumed alcohol while driving or switched seats with someone else that has. This program has been initiated throughout San Mateo and California, as well as clear across the United States.
 
According to the California Vehicle Code (updated on July 1 of 2010), the Ignition Interlock Device Pilot Program was put into place. Everyone convicted of a misdemeanor DUI was mandated to have their vehicle modified with this technology, as well as anyone that had been convicted of a felony DUI with injury.
 
To avoid this uncomfortable and annoying punishment it’s important that you hire the best DUI attorneys to provide you with the legal representation and defense you need to avoid ever having an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle. If one of these devices has already been installed, our DUI attorneys can help you better understand each and every aspect of the device so that you can navigate life with ignition interlock without setting yourself up for potential future punishments.

Depending upon the decision of the court and the details of a conviction for DUI in San Mateo, active monitoring of an interlock installation may be necessary. This is going to require the driver of any vehicle with an interlock device installed to routinely perform randomized breathalyzer tests while they are operating the vehicle itself. The device will be periodically to signal that a sample must be taken, and drivers will have a specific amount of time available to comply with this order.

If alcohol is detected while the vehicle is in motion the engine will NOT be turned off immediately, though there will be a series of flashing lights and a honking of the horn/alarm system signaling that the driver needs to pull over and turn off the vehicle ASAP.

Do Not Hesitate To Contact Us If You Have Received A DUI Offense in San Mateo

How much will an ignition interlock device cost San Mateo drivers?

As part of a DUI conviction those that have been mandated to have an ignition interlock device installed in your vehicle are going to have to cover at least a portion of the ignition interlock device cost out of pocket.
 
Depending upon the specific device that has been installed and the active monitoring that may or may not be in place, the average cost runs just about $2.50 per day (though sometimes it can be considerably more expensive than that). Companies charge for the installation of these devices as well, and installation charge that’s going to be at right around $75-$100 or so depending upon the installer you choose to move forward with.
 
Other factors play a role in the overall cost of a car interlock as well, including but not limited to:
 

• How long the interlock device needs to be installed in a vehicle
• The specific location, jurisdiction, and installer responsible for installing the interlock installation
• Any active monitoring that has to be complied with after interlock installation
• The make, model, and age of the vehicle that will have the car interlock installed in at

… And so on and so forth.

As has been mentioned above, per the California Vehicle Code, any driver that has been convicted of driving while under the influence of either drugs or alcohol will have to have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle.
 
First-time DUI offenders regularly have these devices installed in your vehicle for a period of no less than five months, though at the judge’s discretion they may be compelled to keep these devices in their vehicle for as long as three years – on top of any other DUI sentencing once they have been handed down as well.

Subsequent DUI offenders will have these kinds of devices installed in your vehicles for an even longer amount of time, with some DUI offenders having to have an interlock program device installed in your vehicle for as long as one year right out of the gate and up to three years after their conviction.

Proper DUI attorney representation allows you to avoid the ignition interlock program in San Mateo

The most important thing you can do when you are being charged with a DUI is avoid the significant punishments, penalties, and consequences that come from a conviction.

The Alcohol Interlock Program is one of these punishments, a punishment that can negatively impact your day to day life for a lot longer than the financial penalties or even jail time may. Getting accepted into the Ignition Interlock Device program is never going to be fun, is almost always going to be expensive, and carries with it a lot of responsibility and a lot of potential embarrassment at the same time.

To learn more about how we can help you avoid an interlock installation (and other DUI punishments) contact us at your earliest convenience for a 100% free and zero obligation consultation. For professional help with DUI charges in San Mateo, California, give us a call now.