There’s a “snowball effect” to any new ignition interlock law, and Texas is about to see just how much better life can be after a DWI when offenders are able to install the devices. September 1 is the day the Texas interlock law will debut its new look: where all DWI offenders are able to drive after a conviction, as long as there’s an ignition interlock or car breathalyzer on their vehicle. Previously, the device was only mandatory for a DWI offender with a high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of their arrest. The new law allows all DWI offenders the chance to use the device, allowing more freedom to recover once a conviction is handed down.
With an ignition interlock, Texas DWI offenders can:
- Transport themselves back and forth to work, securing paychecks and employment.
- Drive kids to school, medical appointments and to other activities.
- Fulfill any other obligations to the court that resulted from the DWI conviction.
- Prove they have learned a valuable lesson about the dangers of drinking and driving.
- Ensure all others on the road of their sobriety, with just a quick interlock test.
For a DWI offender with a lower BAC at the time of their arrest, the new law removes any “penalty” for not being super drunk and gives them the choice to install an ignition interlock. That means that more DWI offenders in Texas will be able to lessen the impact of their conviction, and get back on the road to recovery much sooner.
Texas is proud of its independence, and with the new ignition interlock law, more DWI offenders will be able to move beyond a conviction through their own efforts. For a snowball in Texas, that’s one impressive way to make a lasting impression on safety and freedom across the state.
So, You’ve Got a Breathalyzer to Start Your Car