There are so many great reasons to stay sober when driving that it can sometimes seem ridiculous to even list them. Drinking and driving is dangerous, and you’re in for a lot of trouble when you make that choice. But, did you know, that if you’re convicted of a DUI in West Virginia and are required to install a car breathalyzer or ignition interlock, you may be out of luck if you’re also a classic car owner or hobbyist?
True story.
West Virginia understands that a drunk driving incident could have been a big mistake, and that a second chance is warranted… in the form of an ignition interlock requirement. But, in order for that interlock to work, you also have to have a car that is compatible with the device. That way, you’re assured that the device is doing its job, and the court is assured that you’re not out on the roads, repeating your past mistake. However, because of the mechanical and technological requirements of an interlock, if your vehicle was manufactured prior to 1980, you may have trouble having an interlock installed.
In other words: no interlock means no driving in West Virginia… yet another reason to stay sober behind the wheel of your classic car.
Classic cars are a throwback to many of the “good old days” of driving, and keeping those cars on the road in all of their glory requires safe driving habits. If you jump into the driver’s seat and you’ve been drinking, you risk losing a lot more than just your classic car, however. You risk your own freedom and the lives of others. Whether your car is an antique or just off the lot of your local dealership, staying sober when driving keeps you on a road of pure freedom, and away from the consequences of a drunk driving conviction.
There’s No Shame with an Ignition Interlock