Top Questions About BAIIDs in Elgin, Illinois

 Posted on November 15, 2021 in BAIID

The state of Illinois has instituted significant penalties for individuals convicted of drunk driving. Depending on the circumstances of the offense and the driver’s criminal history, a conviction for driving under the influence can lead to fines, driver’s license suspension or revocation, and even jail time. Fortunately, Illinois law also offers DUI offenders options for regaining their driving privileges. Often, driver’s license reinstatement requires the driver to install a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device.   

When is a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device Required?

Most of us drive multiple times a day. You may need to drive to get to and from work, pick up your children, attend medical appointments, and fulfill other important responsibilities. Fortunately, there may be a way for DUI offenders to get back behind the wheel legally.

DUI offenders are not automatically required to get a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) installed on their vehicles. Often, a driver gets a BAIID as a condition of their Restricted Driving Permit (RDP). An RDP allows a DUI offender to regain partial driving privileges after a second or subsequent DUI conviction or aggravated DUI conviction.

BAIIDs are also required to get a Monitoring Device Driving Permit (MDDP).  An MDDP allows you to drive during your statutory summary suspension period after a DUI arrest. You are only eligible for an MDDP if you have no other DUI charges or convictions on your record.

How Does a BAIID Work?

A BAIID is a device that attaches to your vehicle’s ignition. Once a BAIID is installed on your vehicle, you can only start the vehicle by submitting a breath sample into the mouthpiece of the device. When you blow into the device, the device calculates your breath alcohol content. If there is alcohol on your breath, the car will not start up. If there is no alcohol on your breath, the vehicle will start normally. You will also be prompted to blow into the device throughout the trip while you are driving.

Illinois BAIIDs are equipped with a camera that takes a photograph of the person who is blowing into the device. Individuals with an MDDP or RDP that requires a BAIID are prohibited from driving any other vehicle. Driving a vehicle without a BAIID in this situation is a Class 4 felony offense.

Contact an Aurora DUI Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with driving under the influence, contact Elgin criminal defense attorney Brian J. Mirandola for help. Call The Law Office of Brian J. Mirandola at 847-488-0889 today for a free, confidential consultation.

Source: 

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/BAIID/baiid.html