DUI ignition lock law goes into effect in Florida

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

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A deputy's dash cam video shows the result of a DUI-related crash.

(Bay News 9) -- A new law went into effect in Florida on July 1 concerning locking devices for certain drunk drivers.

The law mandates that some drunk drivers will have to install an ignition interlock device in their car.

Ignition interlocks are small devices, about the size of a cell phone, which are installed into the starting circuit of a vehicle.

Becky Gage, the victim advocate for Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Hillsborough County, said she strongly supports ignition interlock devices.

"You just never know, anywhere around you at any given time how many potentially drunk drivers there are," Gage said. "I'm hoping it's going to give everyone in the community a little threshold of security to know there's something in place to prevent convicted drunk drivers from repeating their crime."

More About DUI

The lock will not allow the car to start unless the driver's blood alcohol content (BAC) is under a certain level. Under the new law, the driver would have to have an alcohol content under .05 to start the vehicle.

Repeat DUI offenders and first-time offenders with a blood alcohol content over .15 would have to install the devices. The law would also apply to those who drove under the influence with a child in the car.

The law states that the lock will be installed for six months for first offenders and at least two years for drivers who habitually drive under the influence.

The law also states that for a third or subsequent violation, the offender must complete a DUI treatment course.

"This landmark legislation will make it harder for convicted drunk drivers to endanger themselves and others," Don Murray, the Executive Director of MADD Florida said in a press release.

"MADD thanks Florida lawmakers for approving this bill and all of those who worked so hard over the course of this legislative session to ensure its passage."

With this law, Florida joins five other states (Virginia, West Virginia, Colorado, New Hampshire and Kansas) who have similar laws requiring ignition locks for some drunk drivers.

Seven states require ignition interlocks for all DUI convictions.

Others are still working to create new laws or strengthen the ones that already exist.

Former prosecutor facing DUI charges

Lydia Wardell was charged with driving under the influence after she was pulled over on Bayshore Boulevard on Saturday.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- A former Pinellas-Pasco prosecutor is facing charges for her second DUI offense.

Tampa police charged Lydia Wardell with driving under the influence when she was pulled over in on Bayshore Boulevard late Saturday afternoon.

Police later learned Wardell had been involved in a hit-and-run shortly before she was pulled over.

Wardell was sentenced in 2005 to 12 months probation for driving under the influence. She was charged after being involved in a car accident with her two sons in the vehicle.

Wardell was known for her aggressive pursuit of DUI cases before her first arrest. Wardell resigned from her job Tuesday.