If you have been convicted of a DWI in Texas, you know that facing a judge in court was just the beginning. Once your DWI conviction was handed down, the real work began and you now have fines to pay and all sorts of requirements that must be fulfilled even before you can even think about driving again. One of those requirements could be installing a car breathalyzer or ignition interlock device; another cost to add to your “$10,000 Ride,” and one you probably cannot afford to do without.
Adding another bill to your budget may not be very welcome, and for some, affording an ignition interlock device is a pretty big stretch on funds that may not be there anyway. But, without the device, it becomes a lot harder to get back and forth to work to earn a paycheck. Transporting family to school, medical appointments or even the grocery store becomes a lot harder without your own car to drive, and there are expenses for taxis, gas money for friends or public transportation costs to consider.
When looking at the alternatives, affording your ignition interlock device may be more of a priority than ever. In Texas, there are considerations for low-income individuals facing this choice, such as an alternative payment arrangement to help offset the costs. The court that orders your ignition interlock would much rather help you fulfill the requirement than see you risk further criminal charges.
Since ignition interlock devices and car breathalyzers allow a DWI offender the ability to maintain work and other life obligations, while ensuring their sobriety on the road, many court systems will offer financial assistance. Instead of the frustration of having to pay another bill, remember that the ignition interlock device gives you chance to keep your life moving beyond the frustration of a DWI conviction, and that the price you pay for the device is well worth the freedom it returns to your life.
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