A car breathalyzer or ignition interlock device gives a DWI offender the ability to maintain regular responsibilities in life, while preventing further drunk driving incidents from occurring. Too many people think they can beat a breathalyzer, however, by asking a friend to submit a breath sample upon starting up the vehicle, and then the intoxicated driver is free to potentially drive until the next start-up. In Texas, when you have a car breathalyzer, you are also required to take “rolling re-tests,” in addition to your start-up test, eliminating your chance to drive while intoxicated.
Texas car breathalyzer regulations intend to “thwart curbside assistance,” or stop you from asking your friend to blow into your device for you. Instead, after the initial start-up test, you will be prompted for another test between five to 15 minutes later, and then more tests within 45 minutes for the duration that your car is operated. Your breath sample cannot be above the set limit of the car breathalyzer, and you cannot refuse to submit a sample and not face further action. It all works to keep you, and everyone else on the road, safe from a dangerous drunk driving decision.
Rolling re-tests may not seem like a great way to spend your time, especially if you are driving. Nevertheless, you have a responsibility to prove your sobriety when you are driving. Since you already have a car breathalyzer requirement and a DWI conviction, it only makes sense to do the right thing and continue to be responsible when driving. It was a bad choice that drove you into that DWI in Texas, and with a car breathalyzer, you keep getting chances to make better choices, even when you are driving… one breath sample at a time.
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