Print Email

A new and tougher drunken driving law goes into effect today in Kansas that will require first-time offenders to use devices on their vehicles to prevent them from driving while intoxicated.

According to a news release from the Kansas Department Transportation, the law passed by the 2011 Legislature requires motorists convicted of driving under the influence to use interlock devices on their vehicles, creates a system to track repeat offenders and strengthens most penalties.

Some highlights of the new law:

n Failure of a breath test with a result between 0.08 and 0.15, on the first occurrence, will bring a 30-day suspension followed by six months of ignition-interlock device if your record is clear and 12 months of interlock if you have a prior open container violation or three or more moving violations.

n Failure of a breath test with a result over 0.15 the first time, or over 0.08 on a second or subsequent occurrence will bring a one-year suspension followed by ignition interlock (length of interlock is dependent on priors).

n Refusal of a breath, blood or urine test brings a one-year suspension, followed by ignition-interlock requirement (length of interlock is dependent on priors), regardless of how many previous Kansas DUIs a person has.

The new law also creates a central repository that will give law enforcement, prosecutors and judges access to drivers' records, making it easier to track repeat offenders.

Discuss This Story:

Email this story to a friend:

Subject:

Recipient:

Sender's email (required):



Enter text seen above: