Many people in Kentucky who experience an arrest for an alleged driving under the influence crime may wonder if they will have to lose their ability to drive if they are convicted of the DUI charge.
The revocation or suspension of a driver’s license may occur as part of the penalties for a drunk driving offense. Some drivers may reinstate their driving privileges if they install and use an ignition interlock device.
Goals of the IID program
An ignition interlock device prevents a vehicle’s ignition from being started until the driver successfully passes a breath test proving they are not impaired by alcohol at the time. Through this, the device aims to prevent repeat DUI offenses. The Commonwealth of Kentucky’s laws indicates that only some drivers qualify to use an IID and the lookback period for qualification spans five years of driving records.
Rolling retests and distractions
As explained by Car and Driver magazine, after a person passes a test and starts their vehicle, the IID will prompt them to take additional tests at random times. These tests must be completed within just a few minutes of the initial prompt, preventing the driver from always having the opportunity to stop the vehicle to take the test.
Taking a rolling retest while driver causes multiple forms of distractions for the driver. The driver must hold the IID in their hand, read the display and focus on the instructions and steps of the test, resulting in manual, visual and cognitive distractions. Some accidents have been linked to a driver’s participation in a rolling retest with an ignition interlock device.
