New DUI Laws in South Carolina

A tougher DUI bill that supporters say would save lives recently passed in the South Carolina Senate. The bill requires drivers convicted of a first-offense DUI with a blood alcohol level of .12 or above to install ignition interlocks on their cars. The bill passed by a vote of 41-0 just after 6 o’clock Wednesday evening. The state currently requires the interlocks for drivers upon a second or subsequent DUI. A driver is considered legally drunk with a blood alcohol level of .08, so this bill is targeting what are called “high-BAC” drivers. Ignition interlocks are small devices installed on cars and they require the driver to blow into them before starting the car. If the device detects alcohol of .02 or more, the car won’t start. The interlocks that would be used include a camera, to make sure that the person who is blowing into the device is the driver who’s required to have it. This bill would strengthen the penalties for not installing the interlocks.  Now, a first offense has a fine of $300, jail from 10 to 30 days, or both. Under the bill, a first offense for not having an interlock would be a fine of at least $500, 90 days in jail or six months home detention, and an extension of six months for requiring an ignition interlock. But it’s the repeat offenders who would really be hit hard. Now, a third or subsequent offense for not having a required interlock is a $1,000 fine and jail up to 90 days, or home detention from 90 days to six months. Under the bill, a third or subsequent offense would be a felony, with a fine of at least $5,000, prison up to 10 years or home detention for three years, and extending the required use of an ignition interlock by three years. The offenders would have to pay to install the devices on their vehicles. Ignition interlock manufacturers say they cost about $100 a month, but there’s an additional charge of $30 a month, which will provide interlocks for those drivers who can prove they can’t afford them, despite being able to afford a car, gas and SR-22 insurance.   Source: http://burrisslaw.com

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