WV Interlock Law and Your DUI

West Virginia doesn’t give a lot of chances out to drunk drivers. In fact, if you’ve been convicted of a DUI in the state, you have to enroll in the state’s Alcohol Test and Lock Program (ATLP), where you may be required, among other things, to install and use a car breathalyzer or ignition interlock. Generally speaking, WV interlock law only requires the devices under certain circumstances, like when you have more than one DUI or when your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) at the time of your arrest was  .15 or higher. However, your particular DUI may fall under other considerations of the WV interlock law, including:

• Refusing a chemical BAC test.
• If you were under the influence of other illegal substances in addition to alcohol when you were arrested.
• If you caused bodily injury or the death of another person as a result of your DUI.
• If you have a minor under the age of 16 in your vehicle at the time of your arrest.

In other words, if you get a DUI in West Virginia, you’ll probably have to have an ignition interlock. WV interlock law is so strict because the devices are better able to stop a DUI offender from repeating past mistakes than promises made by that person. The devices not only keep the streets safer, but, they are a powerful tool  in rehabilitating drunk drivers – whether through teaching healthy habits, or just as a frustrating deterrent to any future DUI crimes.

Second chances only work when a person is serious about making positive changes in life. West Virginia offers second chances in the form of ignition interlock devices for most DUI offenses, and when faced with the alternative, most offenders are happy to do the time with the device and move on to a better future.