Video: New “Ignition Interlock” Law Off to a Slow Start in Mississippi

[syndicaster id=’5506880′]

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The holiday season means stepped up police patrols for intoxicated and impaired drivers. And for those arrested, it can be expensive. But a new law just now being implemented statewide could provide help. WCBI’s Allie Martin joins us now with more.

[
The new law took effect October 1st. It still means heavy fines for first time DUI offenders but also gives them a way have their conviction dismissed if they agree to have a device installed in their car that won’t allow them to drive if they’ve been drinking.

Under Mississippi’s old law, a DUI conviction resulted in a license revocation and an expensive stain on your driving record. But the Interlock Ignition device law was passed by the Legislature last spring. Supporters hailed it as a way to add enforcement, give people a second chance AND help stop repeat offenders arrests. The new law allows a first time offender to eventually have a clean record, if they agree to have a “Smart Start Interlocking Device” installed in their car.

Gene Byars is owner of the Tint Shop. His Tupelo business is one of a handful statewide certified to install the interlock devices.

“It interlocks the ignition, which means, that unless you blow a pass, reading in the device it will not allow you to start the car.”

Offenders must agree to have the device on their car for 120 days. Each month, they bring the car to Tupelo Tint, and the information is downloaded from the device to “Smart Start’s” headquarters and from there it is sent to authorities. At the end of four months, if the offender shows no violations, has met all other requirements and paid all fines, the conviction is wiped from their record.

“It’s a merciful measure, I guess you could say, for lack of a better work, it gives people a second chance to keep their record clean without just dismissing it and not letting them have any kind of penalty at all.”

The law took effect October 1s but it took several weeks to get court workers and interlock companies certified. It’s just now being implemented in Lee County and a few other places. Other cities and counties will follow early next year as more shops are certified in interlock monitoring. Lee County Prosecuting Attorney James Moore says the new law could allow someone who has had a first offense DUI in the past five years get a clean record.

“You could hire an attorney, and if you have had no subsequent offenses in intervening five years, you could go back and get a DUI first expunged now also from your record. “>

There are extra costs associated with the interlocking device. It is leased on a monthly basis and the opportunity for a clean record is a one-time deal. The program is voluntary but authorities point out the sure way to avoid trouble is to not drink and drive in the first place. Live in Tupelo, back to you.