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On May 22, 2019, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) said that ignition interlocks stopped more than 3 million U.S. drunk-driving attempts since 2006.

“Drunk-driving deaths are down 19 percent since 2006, even though people are driving more now than 12 years ago. MADD believes a big reason for this decrease is the more than 3 million times an interlock prevented someone from driving drunk, along with the hundreds of state laws MADD has helped enact to improve the implementation of this lifesaving device,” said Frank Harris, MADD’s Director of State Government Affairs.

MADD surveyed interlock manufacturers, and the new data shows that ignition interlocks stopped almost 348,000 attempts to drive drunk in 2018.

“As a mother who lost her 16-year-old daughter to this preventable crime, I am horrified to learn that even after people have been arrested and ordered to use an ignition interlock, they still try to drink and drive. And they would be driving impaired, if not for this technology that stops them,” said MADD National President Helen Witty. “We have so much more work to do, because we are still losing almost 11,000 people a year to drunk-driving crashes.”

Florida law mandates the use of ignition interlock systems for second and third convictions under Statute 316.193 – Driving under the influence; Penalties, which states:   

• For a second conviction, by mandatory placement for a period of at least 1 year, at the convicted person’s sole expense, of an ignition interlock device approved by the department in accordance with S.316.1938 upon all vehicles that are individually or jointly leased or owned and routinely operated by the convicted person, when the convicted person qualifies for a permanent or restricted license.
• (b)1. Any person who is convicted of a third violation of this section for an offense that occurs within 10 years after a  prior conviction for a violation of this section commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in S.755.082, S.775.083, or S.755.084. In addition, the court shall order the mandatory placement for a period of not less than 2 years, at the convicted person’s sole expense, of an ignition interlock device approved by the department in accordance with S.316.1938 upon all vehicles that are individually or jointly leased or owned and routinely operated by the convicted person, when the convicted person qualifies for a permanent or restricted license.

“We at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. have assisted many clients who are victims of drunk-driving accidents. Should you or a loved one need assistance, please contact us after seeking medical attention,” said Fort Myers DUI Accident Attorney Randall Spivey.

Fort Myers DUI Accident Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys.  He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida.  For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information.  You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.