If you are facing charges for operating a vehicle while impaired in Ohio, you likely already recognize the seriousness of your situation. After all, not only may you face a stiff fine and a potential jail sentence, but you may also lose your driving privileges. The length of your license suspension depends on how many OVI convictions you have had during the previous decade.
For a first-time OVI arrest, you are likely to lose your driving privileges for between one and three years. A second offense may trigger a suspension of up to seven years, and a third one may keep you off the road for as many as 12. Installing an ignition interlock device on every vehicle you drive may help you keep driving.
What is an ignition interlock device?
An ignition interlock device is a breath tester that installs on your car’s ignition. Before you start your vehicle, you must provide an alcohol-free breath sample. If you have alcohol in your system, the device prevents your vehicle from starting and sends a report to an administrator.
How may an interlock device help you?
You obviously need to drive to work, the grocery store and other places. Therefore, rather not allowing you to drive, a court may order you to use an ignition interlock device. For a first-time OVI conviction, the device may allow you to drive wherever you want without restrictions. Installing the device may shorten the length of your license suspension.
Keeping your driving privileges may be strong incentive to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. Still, because you must pay for the device and comply with strict requirements, you may want to consider all available options for managing the consequences of your OVI arrest.
