New DUI Laws in California

Los Angeles DUI Attorney

DUI laws are ever-changing, whether due to new advancements in chemical testing, new issues that need to be addressed or due to pressure from political groups and others such as MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) looking to toughen up legislation on driving under the influence. In 2009 there were several new DUI laws implemented in California. These may affect Los Angeles drivers in particular and are therefore important to mention.

Assembly Bill 91 required the establishment of pilot programs in Los Angeles County and three other counties that require a person who has been issued a restricted license to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle, pay a fee and participate in an alcohol and drug assessment program.
Assembly Bill 1165 made it unlawful for a person on probation for any DUI-related offense to operate a motor vehicle while with a blood alcohol concentration of .01% or greater.
Senate Bill 1190 lowered the minimum blood alcohol concentration at the time of a DUI arrest that would require the driver to have an ignition interlock device installed on his or her vehicle if convicted of DUI.
Senate Bill 1388, effective July 2009, requires any person convicted of a DUI-related offense to install an ignition interlock device on all vehicles they own or operate.

The general theme of many of the new DUI laws involves ignition interlock devices, or IIDs, which are installed in a driver’s vehicle. They will not allow the vehicle to start unless a “clean” breath sample is administered. They act similarly to breathalyzer machines and are meant to ensure that a driver does not get behind the vehicle while intoxicated.

Interested in learning more about how the new DUI laws may affect your current arrest or charges? Contact a Los Angeles Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer today.