How Blood Alcohol Ignition Interlock Devices Work in Illinois

 Posted on December 21, 2021 in DUI

Penalties for driving under the influence (DUI) in Illinois often include the loss of the driver’s driving privileges. A driver’s license suspension or revocation can make it difficult to get to work and fulfill other important responsibilities. Fortunately, some drivers are able to regain their driving privileges and get back on the road safely. To do so, they may be required to install a blood alcohol ignition interlock device (BAIID).

To start the car, they must register their blood alcohol content (BAC) using a breathalyzer attached to the BAIID. If their BAC is too high, the BAIID will prevent the car from turning on.

When Is a BAIID Required?

A license suspension usually follows a DUI. With most suspensions lasting a minimum of one year, courts understand that being unable to drive for such a lengthy period of time may cause some defendants undue hardship. For this reason, some defendants are granted the opportunity to apply for a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP), which allows them to drive the duration of the revocation period.

A BAIID is a condition of receiving an RDP if the defendant has:

• two or more DUI convictions
• two statutory summary suspensions
• one statutory suspension and a suspension from a previous DUI arrest
• a conviction for aggravated DUI and the accident caused great bodily harm

How Does a BAIID Work?

The point of the BAIID is to prevent someone with an RDP from driving drunk. If a person blows into the machine and registers a BAC of .025 or higher, they will be prevented from turning on the vehicle.

 People that try to cheat a BAIID (e.g., having someone else take the breathalyzer test for them) are often caught. The machine is designed in a way that makes gaming the system difficult. For example, it takes a picture of the person that blows into the breathalyzer, so the court always knows it is the defendant. Additionally, the driver is required to blow into the machine periodically while driving.

Contact a Will County Criminal Defense Attorney

Jail time, fines, suspensions, reputational damage – a DUI conviction can wreck your life in numerous ways. McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC has been helping clients navigate Illinois’ DUI laws for years. Our attorneys possess a unique understanding of the law and have practiced in courtrooms around the State.

If you need a Joliet, Illinois DUI attorney that treats clients the right way, contact McNamara Phelan McSteen, LLC today at 815-727-0100 for a free initial consultation.

Source: 

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/BAIID/rdp.html