Starting this month, operators who are charged with operating under the influence (OUI) of alcohol, drugs or both, and as a result, have their licenses suspended administratively by DMV will be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) to get their licenses back. The length of time that operators must use the IID will depend on whether they are over age 21 at the time of the offense, whether they are a repeat offender and whether they failed a blood alcohol test or refused such a test at the time of the arrest.
OUI is an offense that carries both administrative penalties and criminal sanctions. Prior to this change in the state law, an IID was not required following a license suspension under the program administered by DMV. IIDs are already mandated following a court conviction for OUI.
An IID requires that operators blow a breath sample into a tube on the device. Their vehicle will not start if they have a blood alcohol content at .025 or above. During operation of the motor vehicle, they will be required to submit additional samples at random intervals. Violations of the IID program will add time to their IID requirement. In addition, criminal charges may result if they operate a vehicle that is not equipped with an IID, if they have another person blow into the IID or if they tamper with or disable the IID.
More about IID requirements can be found on DMV’s website at ct.gov/dmv; OUI-related suspensions – 1.usa.gov/1FstafF and ignition interlock program – 1.usa.gov/1LThwMN
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