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How does an ignition interlock device work?

There are a variety of penalties that Oregon residents can face if they have been convicted on drunk driving charges. These penalties can range from jail time to fines and the loss of a person's driver's license.

One penalty that Oregon residents can face if convicted of DUI is being required to use an ignition interlock device. An ignition interlock device is a small machine connected to a person's car.

This machine measures a person's blood alcohol content level as the person blows into the machine. When a person has been ordered to use an ignition interlock device, the person needs to blow into the device before the ignition on the car will start. People will only be allowed to start their car if the device shows that the person does not have any alcohol in their system.

However, if the machine detects that a person has an elevated BAC level, the car will fail to start for a period of time. The lockout period will continue to get longer until the machine detects that the person has only a low level of alcohol in their body. Additionally, some machines will report a person's elevated BAC level to authorities.

Many ignition interlock devices also have rolling retests, which requires that fresh breath tests be used to keep the car on once it has been started. If the test is not retaken in a timely manner, an alarm will sound prompting the driver to turn off the car. These retests ensure that the person driving the car is sober.

An ignition interlock device can be expensive and cumbersome for people to use. Avoiding an ignition interlock device can help people avoid unnecessary hassle and expenses. However, a strong criminal defense is often necessary to avoid a mandatory ignition interlock device. For more information on how to defend against DUI charges in Oregon, people should consult with an experienced attorney.

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