Skip to Content
New Jersey DUI Lawyers Follow Bill that Could Cut Budgets During Tough Economic Times
A new federal transportation bill that was introduced recently proposes to offer incentives to states that require mandatory installation of ignition interlock devices in the vehicles of all DUI offenders. The incentive comes in the form of federal transportation funding, which will be withheld from those states that fail to implement mandatory ignition interlock device laws.
In New Jersey, state law requires the installation of ignition interlock devices in the vehicles of DUI offenders who are caught driving a vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .15 or higher. However, 15 states currently require mandatory installation of ignition interlock devices in vehicles of all DUI offenders, including first-time DUI offenders. The device prevents a person from operating the vehicle if his or her blood alcohol level exceeds a certain predetermined limit.
New Jersey DUI lawyers believe that this is a hefty carrot to dangle. Since the recession kicked in, many states have grappled with budgetary concerns. Losing millions of dollars in federal transportation funding would thus be especially detrimental to cash-strapped states. Therefore, it's reasonable to believe that many states, including New Jersey, will take the bait and seriously consider passing mandatory ignition interlock device laws. Republicans and Democrats are not currently in agreement on a number of provisions in the transportation funding bill, but most agree on this financial incentive to encourage states to require ignition interlock devices.
The New Jersey DUI lawyers at Helmer Paul Conley and Kasselman represent persons charged with DUI and facing license suspension across New Jersey.
