Ignition Interlock Devices: How Effective Are They in Reducing Vehicle Crashes?- Guest Post

  

An ignition interlock device is a breath analyzer that is installed and connected to a vehicle’s ignition. It is used to determine if a driver has alcohol in his system and if the BAC (blood alcohol concentration) is over the limit.

Ignition interlock installation is one of the primary penalties for DUI drivers, especially those who are on probation. Its purpose is to prevent these drivers from operating a vehicle while alcohol-impaired. If their BAC is above 0.08, which is the legal limit, the device will prevent the car from starting. As for drivers who are not alcohol-impaired, their goal is to remain sober while driving, or the device will automatically stop their vehicle.

An ignition interlock device has a data recorder that allows probation officers to monitor the DUI offender’s driving behavior. This recorder is where BACs are logged after every test. Running tests – or repeat tests – are implemented throughout the offender’s trip, and these help guarantee that drivers are alcohol-free while they are on the road.

IID Origins and State Laws

Interlock devices have been around for years and were first developed in 1969. However, interlocks that came with alcohol sensors were created and only became popular in the 1980s. That was also the time when some states implemented several pilot programs in the U.S. The first State to officially enact the legislation was California, when they created the Farr-Davis Safety Act of 1986 and implemented IIDs in four of its largest counties.

In 2012, all states in the country started implementing IID laws, although the specifics vary from state-to-state. For example, in some states, the authority that mandates ignition interlock devices is the DMV or Department of Motor Vehicles, not the court or the state.

Additionally, depending on which state the driver committed the offense in, the device is required for 1) first offenders, 2) offenders with high BACs, and 3) repeat offenders.

Ignition interlock device programs in the United States are divided into:

  1. Administrative programs managed by a State licensing authority.
  2. Judicial programs managed by a court system.
  3. Hybrid programs that combine the administrative and judicial categories

How Effective are Ignition Interlock Devices?

The general public strongly supports the ignition interlock device program. Additionally, the use of IIDs has steadily increased over time. In 2010 alone, there were 212,000 installations compared to the 101,000 recorded in 2006. Today, these numbers have more than doubled.

Lesser Drunk Driving Cases

Since 2006, ignition interlock device laws have helped prevent over 2.3 million people from driving drunk. The numbers are higher now as these statistics cover the period from 2006 until 2017 only.

Additionally, the American Journal of Preventive Medicine came out with a study called “Ignition Interlock Laws: Effects in Fatal Motor Vehicle Crashes, 1982-2013” that indicated several significant findings. According to the study, IIDs resulted in a 7% reduction in fatal car crashes due to drunk driving.

Also, IID laws helped bring down the number of first-time offenders involved in fatal drunk driving crashes by more or less 8%. The study covers only incidents that happened from 1982 to 2013, but this trend continues today.

Recidivism

One of the major reasons for the implementation of ignition interlock laws is to prevent recidivism or reduce the number of repeat offenders.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), IID laws are responsible for decreasing repeat offenders by around 70%.

Some studies also indicate that around 90% of those who graduated from the interlock program went on to drive safely. Furthermore, they successfully avoided committing new drunk driving offenses.

Ignition Interlock Devices and Alcohol Abuse Treatment

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in partnership with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLDHSMV), conducted a study on recidivism that focused on two groups of drivers. The first group went through an alcohol abuse treatment while IIDs were installed in their cars, while the second group did not participate in an alcohol abuse treatment program.

The results clearly indicated that two years after the device was uninstalled from the vehicles, drivers who went through the alcohol abuse treatment reduced the recidivism rate by 32% compared to those who did not undergo treatment. As such, this led to lesser DUI arrests, fewer vehicle crashes, and a decrease in the number of drunk driving-related injuries.

It is also essential for authorities to complement IID programs with a comprehensive monitoring system.

Lastly, the CDC also has identified eight program keys that can help states strengthen their ignition interlock programs. The program key’s significant actions include:

  • Substantial penalties
  • Incentives
  • Interlock monitoring
  • Consistent and uniform implementation
  • Multi-agency coordination
  • Education and training for management and staff
  • Resources for funding and staff
  • Complete data records

If you want to learn more about ignition interlock devices and how they can help prevent drunk driving, get in touch with and talk to an IID provider.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

Lauren McDowell is the Content Marketing Strategist for Interlock Install, a Phoenix-based company that performs the installations, service appointments, and 

removals for ADS Interlock. When not writing, she attends book clubs and enjoys reading stories to her kids.

4 Precautions to Take if You Did a State Level Crime- Guest Post

  

If you have been charged with a crime that occurred at the state level, or if you have a friend or family member who was, there are a few things you should do to ensure you get a fair trial and a favorable outcome.

 

Knowing what you should do will not only help you to protect yourself from unfair tactics used by lawyers, judges, and the prosecution, but it will also make it easier for your attorney to protect your interests and advocate for your best interests.

 

Did you know that you can be charged for a crime committed in your state even if you were outside of your state? Here are a few things to keep in mind if you have been accused of a crime in your state that happened outside of your state:

 

1. Find a good Lawyer

 

If you have been charged with a state crime, it is essential that you hire a lawyer who has experience with your particular state’s laws. This is especially true if you are facing a felony charge.

 

And, if you are facing a misdemeanor, you need to know what a misdemeanor charge is. The best way to gauge the experience of your lawyer is simply to ask him or her about the types of cases he or she has worked on in the past.

 

Finding a good lawyer is not so easy when you have been charged with a crime. You have to do a lot of research and find the best one to represent you. You can type in Google or Yahoo, but then you will be overwhelmed with results.

 

So, what you should do is to just go to your friend’s/brother’s lawyer and ask them to recommend you a good lawyer, and they will definitely help you find the best lawyer to help you.

 

2. Do not tell anyone you have done a crime

There are many different types of crime. Some are minor and others are very serious. The ones we are most concerned about are the serious ones that carry a sentence of more than two years in jail. You will have to go to jail if you did a state level crime. You could tell everyone that you did not do the crime, but that is not the truth.

There are two types of crimes: (1) You may get arrested or be placed under a restraining order. In this article, I will talk about what to do if you did a state-level crime. First, I would like to talk about the physical evidence.

 

The police will use at least two types of techniques to determine whether or not you did what you are accused of, including comparing the evidence to that of other people and reviewing cell phone records. If the police believe that you are the culprit, they will arrest you, send you to jail, or will place a restraining order on you.

3. Make sure your attorney knows your rights

 

The first thing you should do is get your criminal case in front of as many people in the criminal defense field as possible. Don’t just ask your attorney if they know someone. Ask them if they know as many attorneys as possible who get paid to know a lot of attorneys. If you can get them to know a bunch of other attorneys, then that only increases your chance of getting a fair trial.

4. Make sure you have witnesses

 

There are a lot of things you have to remember if you’ve done a state level crime. You have to remember to have someone to write down exactly what you did.

You have to remember that there are people that are going to charge you. And, just remember that you might need to testify against your criminal in a court of law.

 

If you are ever accused of a crime, you should make sure your parents, friends, neighbors, coworkers, or others to back you up on the stand to demonstrate your innocence. Doing so will help you to present a more complete defense at your trial that will help to get you a better outcome.

 

 

Author bio: Criminal Defense Lawyer, Lynne Torgerson Esq. has nearly 30 years of experience in law. She can handle all criminal charges, gun rights, all felonies, gross misdemeanors, and misdemeanors, throughout the State of Minnesota including the Twin Cities of Minneapolis / St. Paul.  Ms. Torgerson, Esq., graduated from the University of Minnesota with a double major, with degrees in political science and psychology.  Follow Lynne on Twitter @lynne_torgerson.

Can You Still File An Insurance Claim If Your House Was Destroyed Due To Arson?- Guest Post

   

arson criminal lawyer

Arson is one of the most serious types of house damage. It may happen to anybody at any time. Vandalism like this may happen in every city. Home insurance, on the other hand, is quite obvious. Home insurance seldom covers fires started by someone else. What does this imply if someone else sets fire to your house? There are a few things to think about.

What exactly is arson?

The deliberate act of setting a fire with the aim of causing malicious harm is known as arson. Though properties are the most common target of arson assaults, vehicles, boats, and woods are also susceptible to fire and charring damage due to intentional fire starting.

The person who initiates arson is referred to as an arsonist. When attempting to start a fire, arsonists will typically utilise accelerants such as petroleum, kerosene, alcohol, or any other dangerous and ignitable substances.

An arsonist may set fire to their own or someone else’s property for a variety of reasons, including: 

  •     Vandalism in general.
  •     Deliberately setting a fire on their own property in order to profit financially from their home insurance coverage. This is deemed insurance fraud, which is likewise illegal and punished by law.
  •     An unhappy person may seek ‘revenge’ against another person by setting fire to their home.
  •     An arsonist may suffer from an impulse control problem or Pyromania, which is defined by the pathological starting of fires. However, flames set by true Pyromaniacs are uncommon.

Which properties are in danger?

Although any structure, from a permanent house to an uninhabited facility, might be a target for arson, vacant properties are often more vulnerable. Vandals and arsonists may be more motivated to attack empty properties due to the absence of human activity in or near them. Unoccupied properties that may be in danger include:

  •     Access points such as damaged fences, windows, and doors should be easily accessible.
  •     There are no security mechanisms in place.
  •     Located in a remote area.
  •     Have a flammable waste buildup nearby that might function as an accelerant.

Because a vacant property is just that uninhabited, it is more likely to sustain fire damage than a frequently occupied property, merely because there may be no one around to raise the alert to the authorities so the fire may be controlled. The longer the fire burns and expands, the more destruction it will undoubtedly cause.

How to Aid in the Prevention of Arson Attacks

  •     If your property is vacant, you should visit it on a regular basis and inspect the structure, garden, and any outbuildings for evidence of unwelcome activity.
  •     Install surveillance cameras and an alarm system.
  •     Placing floodlights in vulnerable areas around the house, such as at key entry points and the driveway.
  •     Remove any material that has accumulated outside the home to prevent arsonists from using it as a fire starting.
  •     Keep a close eye out for any anti-social behaviour in the neighbourhood and report anything suspicious to the police.
  •     Turn off the utilities since gas and electricity are especially prone to accelerating flames.

How do you deal with an insurance adjuster after arson?

Local authorities may investigate and establish the cause of a house fire in some cases. Insurance companies may send an investigator to establish if the fire was intentionally caused for financial advantage. In addition, the building’s family or owner is frequently involved in specific sorts of activity that might lead to insurance fraud.

Financial deprivation motivates an arson suspect because the customer is plagued by financial troubles and wants to set fire to his or her home.

The individual may be unaware that insurance providers or local authorities have flagged them for insurance fraud, arson, or other offences. However, suppose the individual is prepared to pay a lawyer to represent them and launch a lawsuit against the insurance company. In that case, they may be able to avoid punishment and get the funds.

Red Flags

When an insurance company suspects a person may commit fraud, it may look for specific warning signs that indicate false claims are being made. A fire investigation will determine if the incident was accidental or deliberate. Several issues can be found in phone records or financial documents. Others include monitoring credit scores and looking for potential fire warning signals.

The individual may acquire things and supplies that they would not normally purchase. He or she may also seek the advice of a lawyer, a fire specialist, or someone who can explain how fire burns.

Level Of Evidence

For fire inspections, the local police may use a different degree of proof than home insurance companies. The only proof that the incident was intentionally created by the house owner or someone who ignited the fire in residence will be considered by the law. However, the insurance company is interested in insurance fraud issues and recouping its expenses by withdrawing from the insurance coverage.

Some of these events result in litigation, financial losses for the affected party, and criminal investigations for vandalism.

Arson

Part of the problem in claiming that the homeowner or user started the fire is the evidence needed, which might lead to being charged with arson. Three reasons might lead to the policyholder losing owing to a false fire claim or the insurance provider paying out as much as feasible to the individual. These factors include the individual’s purpose and willingness to take advantage of the insurance coverage and the actual fire. The evidence may lead to a police inquiry as well as an insurance company investigation.

Investigation of the insurance

While law enforcement must acquire significant evidence, the insurance company rejects coverage based on the parties’ additional conclusions or circumstantial proof. For example, the agent might contact the firm to find out if the owner was lying about the facts of the case. The claim must contain either a knowing or willful misrepresentation, according to the standard. If this circumstance impacts the insurer’s coverage of the home fire, the payout will be rejected. Even if there is no proof of guilt on the side of the homeowner or another individual, the carrier may be released from the obligation.

The insurance company considers circumstantial proof such as phone and bank records, the policyholder’s behaviour before the fire, data about their interactions with others, and so on. Before the fire even starts, an effort should be made. Behaviour following a major home fire may indicate arson and insurance fraud. According to the carrier’s statement, the policyholder had a motivation to perpetrate fraud.

Hire a Lawyer

You would be wise to retain the services of an insurance attorney at the start of this process. Valid insurance claims are frequently underpaid by at least $10,000 by insurance companies. When insurers deny a claim due to the possibility of fraud, an attorney may be necessary to assist in proving that the fire was either natural or caused by an outside source. Monetary compensation aids in the recovery process after an injury.

Because insurance companies frequently underpay fire claims, consumers are well adapted to consulting an attorney at the start of the insurance claim public adjusters florida.