You Can Be In Trouble for an Employee’s California DUI

California is busy working on the red tape that goes along with the statewide ignition interlock device (IID) expansion. By 2018, all California DUI offenders will have access to interlocks. Under the interlock program that is being implemented, all individuals convicted of driving under the influence are required to install and maintain an ignition interlock device. You may not ever think a DUI will affect you, but if you’re a business owner and your employee gets a California DUI, you could be held liable.

Beginning January 1, 2017, the new law expanded the IID program statewide with minor modifications so that with:

• A first DUI offense that also involves an injury, an IID would be required for six months.
• A first DUI offense that involves no injuries, an offender may choose a six-month IID requirement with full driving privileges, or a one-year restricted license that would allow only driving to and from work if the offender also participates in a treatment program.
• A second DUI offense, an IID would be required for one year.
• A third DUI offense, the IID requirement is two years.
• A fourth or subsequent DUI offense, the IID requirement is three years.

The new California program also includes an incentive to DUI offenders who choose to install an IID soon after their arrest: they are allowed full driving privileges with installation and use of an IID, and their ultimate IID time requirement is to be reduced based on their early installation of the device prior to conviction.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving and The Century Council show that alcohol-related accidents and arrests have been on a slow decline over the past decade. However, they also show that there is almost no way that each of us (business and personally) can avoid being impacted by this issue during our career.

Consider these facts and how they can impact your business, your employees and yourself:

• One in three people will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime.
• Almost every 90 seconds, a person is injured in a drunk driving crash.
• An average drunk driver has driven at least 80 times before the first arrest.
• Fifteen percent of drivers involved in fatal crashes during the week were drunken driving crashes. This number rises to 33% on Friday and Saturday.

Alcohol issues are difficult to discuss, enforce and resolve. However, many companies proactively install IIDs for similar reasons. Avoiding a California DUI is a priority, for families, employees and the safety of everyone on the streets.