New Bill Proposal Takes Aim at Repeat DUI Offenders in Indiana

Everyone agrees that drinking and driving is not a good practice. While almost everyone would like to see fewer of these occurrences, the fact is people are still arrested for drinking and driving on a regular basis in the Dort Wayne area. If you have been arrested and charged with an OWI in Indiana then you could face tough penalties. Thanks to a new proposed bill in the Indiana Legislature, those penalties could get even tougher.

According to reports, the new bill would require that anyone who is arrested for a second drunk driving offense would be ordered to install an ignition interlock device in his or her vehicle. There are already 24 states around the country that require such a device for anyone with a prior conviction of OWI/DUI. Under the proposed bill in Indiana, judges would be required to order repeat offenders to install an interlock device before they could have their driving privileges reinstated.

Ignition interlock devices are aimed at preventing people from driving under the influence. People with these devices must pass a breath test each time before they can start their vehicles. There’s no question that cutting back on drunk driving is a good idea, as 25 percent of the nearly 800 traffic deaths in Indiana in 2013 involved drivers who were legally drunk, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The new bill proposal was to have been heard for the first time late last month by the Roads and Transportation Committee. Obviously, anything that deters people from drinking and driving is a good idea. However, it’s also important to keep in mind that not everyone who is arrested for drinking and driving is guilty. Some people are the victims of unfortunate circumstances and other people who haven’t been drinking at all can still end up being arrested despite their innocence.

No one should drink and drive, but no one should be wrongfully convicted of drinking and driving, either. If you are facing an OWI/DUI charge in the Fort Wayne area, then you should seek experienced legal representation to protect your rights. Drinking driving penalties can be tough, so make sure you are prepared to defend yourself the best way possible, with the help of The Bellinger Law Office. Please contact us today if you are facing any drunk-driving related offenses. Call us at 260-428-2214, or click here to get in touch with us online.