Drunk driving charges in Mississippi may not always result in a complete loss of a driver’s license. The state’s laws take into account that most individuals need to get to work. If convicted of drunk driving, you may show how a license suspension would result in a financial hardship and apply for a restricted license.
Instead of losing your driving privileges for a period of at least 90 days, a restricted license would require you to install an ignition interlock device on your car. You must, however, abide by all the state rules regarding driving with restrictions.
What does an IID do?
An IID is a breath test device that controls a vehicle’s ignition system. Similar to the roadside devices used by law enforcement to check impairment at traffic stops, it measures blood alcohol content when a driver blows into it. If an IID detects an over-the-limit BAC, the vehicle will not start.
The state does not cover installation costs for the system, nor its monthly monitoring, leasing and maintenance. The restricted license driver pays for all IID costs, including the removal of the device upon completion of the sentence.
Can an IID breath test produce inaccurate BAC measurements?
Devices used for testing a motorist’s BAC level have not always provided accurate readings. Independent laboratory testing has demonstrated that some of the devices used to obtain roadside readings are less than fully reliable, as reported by The New York Times.
Several factors may contribute to a device’s inaccuracy, such as breath mints, mouthwash or improper calibration. Accordingly, the breath test device used in an IID system requires regular calibration procedures to provide accurate results. This is typically a monitored process.
What could occur if a driver attempts to remove an IID?
When law enforcement stops a motorist who removed or tampered with an IID, an arrest may occur. The design of an IID enables it to detect tampering if a driver attempts to disconnect one. By agreeing to and following the requirements of a DUI sentence, however, an individual may maintain his or her driving privileges on a restricted license.
