What California DUI Law Gets Right

California has long been an example of progressive laws. From banning plastic bags to driverless vehicle speed limits, California understands that safety matters. Still, it has taken the efforts of half of the U.S. to prove the value of strict DUI consequences to California. Especially all-offender ignition interlock requirements.

California DUI law recently expanded ignition interlock access across the entire state.

Fighting DUI disasters isn’t an easy process, so we give California plenty of credit. Plus, the state has a larger population that most other states, making expansion an ever bigger mountain to climb. The state consistently renewed the four-county pilot program that required ignition interlock devices for DUI drivers in Alameda, Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Tulare counties. It was just a matter of time and planning for the implementation of the program across the entire state, and in 2018, it will all be set and ready to roll.

California has other DUI laws that also increase safety on the roads, including:

• Administrative License Revocation – if you refuse a breath test, the state will revoke your license.
• DUI Child Endangerment – if a child passenger is present during a DUI, there are additional penalties.
• Sobriety Checkpoints – predetermined, local efforts to screen drivers for possible DUI dangers.
• Felony DUI laws – upon a fourth DUI conviction in 10 years, the offender will have a felony criminal record.
• Alcohol abuse evaluation and treatment – all DUI offenders are tested and treated for alcohol addiction.

All in all, California DUI law is comprehensive and addresses concerns over road safety and rehabilitation. Currently, the four-county pilot program is the state’s only all-offender ignition interlock program, but judges across the state can still order the devices at their discretion. Once the law is fully enacted, the efforts of lawmakers, organizations like MADD and residents of the state will show the effectiveness of interlocks in California, and be an example for the other states to follow.