If you wind up with a DWI, you may have to change a few things about how you go about your daily life. One of these is what it looks like to drive, especially if the court requires you to install and use an ignition interlock device.
Until you need to use one, you may not know the purpose of an ignition interlock device or what it means if you need to use one. Become familiar with a common DWI side effect.
What does an ignition interlock do?
The purpose of an ignition interlock is to require a breath sample of anyone wishing to drive it. You may need to pay for the installation of an ignition interlock device on every car registered in your name or at your address. Before the car starts, you must provide a breath sample into the machine. The vehicle will either start or not, depending on the on-demand test results.
How is it a good thing?
When you face a license suspension, it may drastically alter how you live your life. Losing your license may take away your freedom to travel to and from work outside specific hours, or you may no longer have the right to venture outside of a very narrow window. An ignition interlock may prove inconvenient, but it will allow you to keep your license.
If given the option, you may want to consider having an interlock device installed in your vehicle. Doing so may ensure that you maintain a certain level of freedom in the wake of a DWI.